Oxycodone

Generic Name: oxycodone (ox i KOE done)
Brand Name: Dazidox, Oxecta, OxyCONTIN, Oxyfast, OxyIR, Percolone, Roxicodone, Roxicodone Intensol, M-Oxy, ETH-Oxydose, Endocodone

What is oxycodone?

Oxycodone is an opioid pain medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic.

Oxycodone is used to treat moderate to severe pain. The extended-release form of this medication is for around-the-clock treatment of pain.

Extended-release oxycodone is not for use on an as-needed basis for pain.

Oxycodone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about oxycodone

Oxycodone may be habit forming. Never share oxycodone with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking oxycodone. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with a narcotic pain medicine. Check your food and medicine labels to be sure these products do not contain alcohol.

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Never take oxycodone in larger amounts, or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how oxycodone will affect you.

Do not stop using oxycodone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using oxycodone.

Before using oxycodone

Do not use oxycodone if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a narcotic medicine (examples include methadone, morphine, Oxycontin, Darvocet, Percocet, Vicodin, Lortab, and many others), or to a narcotic cough medicine that contains codeine, hydrocodone, or dihydrocodeine.

You should also not take oxycodone if you are having an asthma attack or if you have a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.

Oxycodone may be habit forming. Never share oxycodone with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;

• liver or kidney disease;

• underactive thyroid;

• trouble swallowing, or a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);

• curvature of the spine that affects breathing;

• a history of head injury or brain tumor;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• low blood pressure;

• gallbladder disease;

• Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorder;

• enlarged prostate, urination problems;

• mental illness; or

• a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

FDA pregnancy category B. Oxycodone is not expected to harm an unborn baby. However, oxycodone may cause breathing problems, or addiction and withdrawal symptoms in your newborn if you take the medication during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

See also: Oxycodone pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

Oxycodone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using oxycodone.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medicine.

How should I use oxycodone?

Take oxycodone exactly as prescribed. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Never take this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release oxycodone tablet. Swallow it whole.

If your doctor has told you to take two or more oxycodone tablets per dose, take the tablets one at a time. Do not wet, presoak, or lick the tablet before placing it in your mouth. Drink plenty of water to make swallowing easier and to prevent choking.

Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Drink plenty of water daily to help prevent constipation while you are using oxycodone. Ask your doctor about ways to increase the fiber in your diet. Do not use a stool softener (laxative) without first asking your doctor.

Do not stop using oxycodone suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using oxycodone.

Never crush a tablet or other pill to mix into a liquid for injecting the drug into your vein. This practice has resulted in death with the misuse of oxycodone and similar prescription drugs.

Store at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and light.

Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Oxycodone is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

Always check your bottle to make sure you have received the correct pills (same brand and type) of medicine prescribed by your doctor. Ask the pharmacist if you have any questions about the medicine you receive at the pharmacy.

After you have stopped using oxycodone, flush any unused pills down the toilet. Disposal of medicines by flushing is recommended to reduce the danger of accidental overdose causing death. This advice only applies to a very small number of medicines. The FDA, working with the manufacturer, has determined this method to be the most appropriate route of disposal and presents the least risk to human safety. Throw away any unused liquid oxycodone that is older than 90 days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since oxycodone is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are on a schedule, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of oxycodone can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, muscle weakness, confusion, cold and clammy skin, pinpoint pupils, shallow breathing, slow heart rate, fainting, or coma.

What should I avoid while using oxycodone?

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medication. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with oxycodone. Check your food and medicine labels to be sure these products do not contain alcohol.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how oxycodone will affect you.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with oxycodone and lead to unwanted side effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.

Oxycodone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to oxycodone: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;

• seizure (convulsions);

• cold, clammy skin;

• confusion;

• severe weakness or dizziness; or

• a feeling like you might pass out.

Common oxycodone side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite;

• dizziness, headache, tired feeling;

• dry mouth;

• sweating; or

• itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Oxycodone side effects (in more detail)

Oxycodone Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Pain:

Initial:
Immediate Release (IR): 5 mg to 15 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours
Controlled Release (CR): 10 mg orally every 12 hours.

Maintenance:
IR: 10 mg to 30 mg orally every 4 hours. Doses greater than 30 mg are rarely needed and should be used with great caution.
CR: 20 mg to 640 mg per day in patients with cancer pain. The average total daily dose is approximately 105 mg per day. Cancer patients with severe pain may require "as needed" rescue doses of the immediate-release form of oxycodone to supplement the controlled-release form.

Usual Geriatric Dose for Pain:

Initial:
Immediate Release (IR): 2.5 mg orally every 6 hours

Maintenance:
IR: Increase dose slowly as needed. Doses greater than 30 mg are rarely needed and should be used with great caution.
CR: 20 mg to 640 mg per day in patients with cancer pain. The average total daily dose is approximately 105 mg per day. Cancer patients with severe pain may require "as needed" rescue doses of the immediate-release form of oxycodone to supplement the controlled-release form.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pain:

Greater than 1 year and less than 50 kg: 0.05 mg to 0.15 mg/kg/dose every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
Greater than 1 year and greater than or equal to 50 kg: Start at 5 mg orally every 6 hours as needed, then dose may be titrated up to 10 mg orally every 3 to 4 hours.

What other drugs will affect oxycodone?

Do not take oxycodone with any other narcotic pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing. Dangerous side effects may result. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medications, or medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with oxycodone, especially:

• pentazocine;

• nalbuphine;

• butorphanol; or

• buprenorphine.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with oxycodone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about oxycodone.