Oxycodone Hydrochloride and Oxycodone Are the Same Active Drug
Yes, oxycodone hydrochloride is the same medication as oxycodone—the "hydrochloride" (HCl) designation simply refers to the salt form used in pharmaceutical formulations, not a different drug. 1, 2
Chemical and Pharmaceutical Nomenclature
Oxycodone hydrochloride is the chemical salt form of the active opioid compound oxycodone, which has been in clinical use since 1917. 3, 4
The hydrochloride salt improves the drug's stability, solubility, and bioavailability for pharmaceutical manufacturing—this is standard practice for many medications. 5
When prescriptions or medical literature refer to "oxycodone," they are referring to oxycodone hydrochloride, as this is the only commercially available form. 6
What Actually Matters Clinically: Release Mechanism, Not Salt Form
The clinically important distinction is not between "oxycodone" versus "oxycodone hydrochloride," but rather between immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER) formulations. 1, 2
IR oxycodone HCl (brand names: Roxicodone, OxyNorm, Percocet when combined with acetaminophen) has onset within 10-30 minutes and duration of 3-6 hours. 1, 2, 7
ER oxycodone HCl (brand name: OxyContin) has onset around 1 hour and duration of 10-12 hours. 1, 7
The CDC explicitly recommends initiating opioid therapy with IR formulations rather than ER products to allow for safer dose titration. 1, 2
Prescribing Guidance to Avoid Confusion
When writing prescriptions, specify both the release mechanism (IR vs ER) and the exact dose to prevent medication errors—not whether it contains "hydrochloride," as all formulations do. 1, 2
Oxycodone is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance regardless of formulation. 2, 6
Typical starting dose for IR oxycodone in adults is 5-15 mg every 4-6 hours as needed for pain. 2