OxyContin and Constipation: What Users Say

• Dus...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 23, 2014

For Chronic Pain "OxyContin seems to work really well for pain. But there are a few cons about this medicine for me. My body would get used to it, and I would need to up the dose. I went from 10mg (2x a day) all the way up to 30 mg (2x a day). It has always only lasted tops 7 hours instead of the advertised 12. It has never lasted 12 hours. When I started taking this medicine, by the 7th hour my legs would really be on fire again like clockwork. So 2 pills would last 14 hours instead of 24 like the manufacturer says. If you take this medicine, make sure you get some breakthrough medicine. Make sure you take Exlax with this medicine. You will be constipated."

• Goz...
• August 11, 2013

For Chronic Pain "I suffer from degenerative arthritis in my lower spine, which is slowly making its way up my back. At first, I was taking Oxynorm, which is the same as OxyContin but in an instant-release form. I began on 10mg a day, however, due to tolerance issues, this dosage quickly increased, leaving me in a state where I was so stoned I might as well have been drunk. Concerned about this, I spoke to my GP who changed me over to OxyContin, slow-release. After 3 years, once again due to tolerance, I am on 80mg 3 times a day. The pain relief is awesome, sometimes it's so effective I forget my back's stuffed. However, some of the side effects are bad, for instance, I forget to breathe, have trouble swallowing, and the constipation is horrendous."

• Som...
• January 25, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I have been on opiates for 15 years now because of a degenerative condition on my C5 and C6 disks and a sterno-clavicular joint with constant subluxation and arthrosis. 3 years ago I was prescribed OxyContin 20 mg 2x daily, and for breakthrough pain, I simply chew 1/3 to 1/2 of a 20 mg OxyContin tablet. Less side effects than morphine and much better pain management combined with Celecoxib and Paracetamol. I do not overmedicate when I do not need it since I had such bad experiences with tramadol addiction, that stuff was vile. Sometimes I take it a few weeks in a row and pause when I can to lessen the habituation, and I never will get dependent. 42 pieces of 20 mg OxyContin tabs are enough for like 2 months of quality life as it very effectively takes the edge off the pain that I have every time I am standing or being active for more than a few hours in a row. Besides some pruritus (itching) from time to time and the occasional constipation I get from OxyContin, all is well. An 8+ out of 10 from me!"

• Gre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 30, 2012

For Pain "I've been on the 60mg twice a day for over 2 years now with Roxicodone 30mg every six hours for breakthrough pain, works better for me than Avinza. High dose Norco, and even the Fentanyl Patches 25mcg-75mcg. It has given my life back. I do recommend you talk to your doctor and get on this medicine. The old version that had OC and 60 was a lot better than the newer OP/60, but eventually your body gets used to it. Just be careful take it as directed. The only side effect is constipation, but otherwise a God-Send!"

• Cez...
• August 28, 2009

For Pain "I have had 3 major life-saving surgeries in 11 months, and have tried a number of pain medications. While grateful to be alive, the constant pain had reduced my quality of life to just about zero. I now take OxyContin 20 mg 2x a day, Vicodin 10/325 4 times a day for breakthrough pain. This 'recipe' has literally given me my life back! Occasional constipation is the only real side effect I've experienced. 6 months ago I spent most of my life in bed. Now I am able to participate in all the activities I enjoyed before the surgeries, and take care of the day-to-day responsibilities of housekeeping, etc., without help."

• Dar...
• June 9, 2010

For Pain "OxyContin gives me far more pain relief than all the other 'pain killers' I have been given over the years. I have advanced osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, idiopathic gastro paresis, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, hypermobility syndrome, and a host of other random medical disorders. I have had crippling pain over the last 7 years, been on everything from Talacen and Darvocet to Lortab and Percocet. This is the first medication that allows me to get out of bed and clean my house and walk my dog. My quality of life is so improved. The only reason for me giving this a 9 is because it does cause a lot of constipation, in my mind, this is a small price to pay."

• Els...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 28, 2016

For Chronic Pain "I am really glad to see so many positive experiences. I just wish I could say the same. I have been on OxyContin 40 mg for 6 years. I cannot say that I have found relief. I have peripheral neuropathy, and I take the OxyContin 40 mg twice a day and methadone 15 mg four times a day. I am in excruciating pain at least 8 hours a day, and I have trouble sleeping, and now I am having a problem with constipation. I don't really think it is the medication's fault, I think my dose is too low to handle the amount of pain I am in. My doctor will not prescribe anything stronger."

• Anonymous
• June 13, 2011

For Pain "This medication is the only one out of so many that has been prescribed over all the years that I have suffered with my condition. (Severe degenerative bone disease, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, etc.) The negative effect I experience is constipation, for which I use Benefiber."

• Luc...
• June 11, 2016

For Pain "OxyContin allowed me to recover from cancer surgery without any complications. I did have some unpleasant side effects like constipation. But it was totally worth the pain relief I got from surgery."

• jrf...
• May 9, 2015

For Chronic Pain "Some uncomfortable side effects, like constipation. Other than that, the drug does an okay job with my rheumatoid arthritis pain."

• wat...
• May 13, 2008

For Pain "I have been using OxyContin for approximately 5 years, without any major dramas. Some minor constipation in the beginning, but sorted that out fairly quickly."