Oxycodone

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

What is oxycodone?

Oxycodone is an opioid narcotic pain reliever similar to morphine. 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.

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

Important information about oxycodone

Oxycodone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Keep the medication in a secure 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. 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. Oxycodone 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 avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using oxycodone.

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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 and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. 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 you can safely take oxycodone, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• 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;

• 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 disorders;

• 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. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. 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.

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

How should I use oxycodone?

Take oxycodone exactly as prescribed. 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.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole. Breaking the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. 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 the liquid form of oxycodone with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get 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 oxycodone 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. Throw away any unused liquid medicine that is older than 90 days. 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.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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

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

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 oxycodone. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with this medicine. Check your food and medicine labels to be sure these products do not contain alcohol. Oxycodone may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how oxycodone will affect you.

Oxycodone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to oxycodone: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using oxycodone and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;

• seizure (convulsions);

• cold, clammy skin;

• confusion;

• severe weakness or dizziness; or

• feeling like you might pass out.

Less serious oxycodone side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• 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:

> 1 year <50 kg: 0.05 mg to 0.15 mg/kg/dose every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
> 1 year >=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?

Before using oxycodone, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). Dangerous side effects may result.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• pentazocine (Talwin);

• nalbuphine (Nubain);

• butorphanol (Stadol); or

• buprenorphine (Buprenex, Subutex).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with oxycodone. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about oxycodone.