Oxycodone and Constipation: What Users Say

• Bud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2020

Oxycodone for Chronic Pain "I was on OxyContin for 15 plus years, and I went to fill my prescription, but the insurance company cut me off. After a week of awfulness, I got my new medication Xtampza. I've only been on it for 4 days, and it's been the worst. I was fine on OxyContin except for constipation, and I had that figured out. I take my Xtampza and about 30 minutes later, I feel like I am at the end of my life. I'm so depressed and crying. Then, about 1 to 2 hours later, the depression is gone. I hope this is not going to continue, or else I need something else for pain. I feel like I have the flu and other issues. I'm not sure if it's the Xtampza or results from stopping the OxyContin. I don't understand why the honest, sick old people get screwed because these drug addicts are abusing drugs. This opioid war is hurting good people that need pain relief. The addicts will just find another way to abuse the system."

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

Oxycodone 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

Oxycodone 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."

• Nov...
• July 25, 2014

For Chronic Pain "I use 30 mg oxycodone three times a day. It helps with pain and keeps me motivated to keep working. I have arthritis and Crohn's disease. The pills keep my pain under control and interestingly, the side effect is constipation. It helps control my frequent bowel movements. This medication is knocking two issues with one stone. The only bad thing is withdrawal if you run out and don't get the refill in time. It's not as easy as other meds that have auto refill, you always have to get a paper prescription for each refill. But the medicine really helped me for years."

• Som...
• January 25, 2019

Oxycodone 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!"

• Rya...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 6, 2025

For Chronic Pain "After being diagnosed with multilevel spine degeneration, I was now being given opioids for pain. First, I was prescribed hydrocodone, which is a common first step in pain management. It made everything a little more bearable. But ultimately, I had to take three to four at a time to get relief, and I was given 4 daily. When I moved out of the area and went to a different doctor, she suggested oxycodone. Better pain relief without the toxic Tylenol. I feel it definitely works better. What I've come to realize is oxycodone does what it does, and taking twice as much of it doesn't do any better. Using it as prescribed, with a good diet, I don't have the stereotypical problems with constipation, anxiety, drowsiness (all the side effects linked with this medication). I'm glad this medication is available to people like me who need it. I feel this medication, along with other controlled medications, is ultimately beneficial when used correctly."

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

Oxycodone 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!"

• Pen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 11, 2017

For Pain "I am a 53-year-old mom with an 11-year-old daughter. I suffer from lower back pain from L4 disc surgery in Sept '16 and fibromyalgia. Advil just does not touch the pain, and it also triggers acid reflux. Hydrocodone made me severely nauseous. Oxycodone is the ONLY pain medicine that gives me relief. It does not make me sleepy or cause acid reflux. I do take a stool softener on an every-other-day basis to prevent constipation, and that works. Previously I had been on it for 2 years prior to surgery for sciatic nerve pain. After surgery, I had NO problem weaning off. If you wean slowly, 1/2 pill reduction at a time, it's not an issue. It has been a lifesaver for me."

• chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2017

Oxycodone for Chronic Pain "Did not notice any relief in pain. I did develop welts on my face, hot eyeballs, itching like crazy, nauseated most of the time. I also felt as though I constantly had the flu. I would like to go back on Norco 10/325 x 6/day or oxycodone 15 mg / 6 day. Oh - severe constipation. Really disappointed!!"

• Mic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 15, 2015

For Pain "I have been taking Oxycodone 30 mg for about 4 years now. I have chronic pain issues (arthritis, scoliosis, neuropathy, bulging disc, bone spurs, and many other pain-causing conditions). I also have been diagnosed as having rectal cancer in October of 2014. I have had only one bad side effect with this medicine, and that is constipation. I now take Miralax every day, and I no longer have constipation. This medicine does take away the pain. I am glad I no longer take Vicodin, as it was wrecking my liver and kidneys because of the acetaminophen."

• xan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 29, 2014

For Chronic Pain "Very, very effective. I take 2 10 mg tabs a day with tramadol. I don't know how it would work without the tramadol, but I would say pretty good. The only downside is the constipation that comes with most narcotics, but it's a small price to pay for a pain-free life."

• Psh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 13, 2019

For Chronic Pain "Oxycodone by the brand RHODES Pharmacy is God awful- my pharmacy just switched - what can a patient do? It doesn’t treat my pain- I’m severely constipated and nauseous!!! My previous prescription of oxycodone from Amneal Pharmacies was perfect and I had a life- I’m a CRPS (chronic regional pain syndrome) patient and live in constant pain, but I had a life with that medication- I’m beside myself -"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2016

Oxycodone for Chronic Pain "Horrible medication. This is my first review for anything, but I felt I had to say something. I was on oxycodone 10/325 for years for chronic pain and never had a problem with side effects. Since being on Oxaydo, from day one, I've felt sick. Stomach pain and burning, nausea, constipation, horrible headaches, and bouts of dizziness, not to mention I'm in more pain now than ever. I've barely left the house since I started this crap. While I think an abuse-deterrent is a great idea, something is not right with this medication."

• Fox...
• March 15, 2017

For Chronic Pain "I have five neurological conditions, spinal and cervical stenosis, depression, and anxiety. It took 3 years to find a Dr. in Boston to give me oxycodone. Works well except for constipation. Took 5 mg 2x daily. Can't get them anymore because of addicts. Now bedridden and miserable."

• JT1...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 19, 2014

For Chronic Pain "While I was on Oxycodone, I had wonderful success bringing my 10 pain level down to a tolerable level around 6-7. The only 'problem' I had with it was I had trouble with my bowel movements, I had constant constipation. This was easily treated with a daily stool softener. After a year, we always change up my pain management medications so as not to have to increase dosage with a different Class II medicine. We did this annually, and I have been disabled for nearly 23 years, with very serious illnesses. I would recommend this to anyone who has progressive relapsing multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, avascular necrosis, as well as about 15 other diseases."

• Cez...
• August 28, 2009

Oxycodone 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

Oxycodone 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

Oxycodone 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."

• MRS...
• February 24, 2012

Oxycodone for Pain "After 11 back surgeries (cervical, lumbar) due to scoliosis and degenerative disc disease, I finally feel almost normal again. I have complete pain relief from my 3 a day Roxy 30 mg and Fentanyl patch 150 mg. I have actually been cutting back on my Roxy as my condition improves. With virtually no side effects (constipation, sometimes drowsiness), this has kept me comfortable through all my surgeries and recoveries. Take only as directed by your Dr, and you too can experience freedom from your chronic pain. Highly recommended!"

• big...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 7, 2019

For Chronic Pain "New to me, I am finding out Epic's 15 mg green (E7) generic oxycodone ER are junk and nothing like ACTA's brand, which I had been taking the last 6 months, which worked fine on me except for that constipation issue sometimes. 3x per day was taken for bad back, bad knees, (L) shoulder, other issues, etc. I'm just disappointed (again) with the latest shenanigans. So, users ... Caveat emptor, aka buyer beware … That's my 2 cents worth."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2016

For Chronic Pain "My pharmacy switched my regular pain medicine with this new brand. It has not helped my pain at all, it's made me more constipated than any other medicine in my entire life. I'm wondering if I might have a bowel obstruction from this. I have to take twice the amount of this brand versus the other manufacturer. And because of laws, I'm now stuck with this medicine for 30 days. I will never use this medicine again."

• Gra...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 14, 2019

"I walked into my pharmacy to get my Rx. I found that my med was a different brand, so I spoke with my pharmacist. I asked her to please look into the notes in my file as she tried. Well, you know nothing!! So I had to explain once again I can only take this one! As I’ve had the experience of others, they either don’t work at all or had one that put me in the hospital. I’m afraid to try this as I wanted to see who, what the company stands for, and what’s put in tablets after seeing all these horrible, some horrific complications people have had. I’m ever so afraid to try. I would like to do more investigation and talk with my Internal Medicine Provider. By the way, my conditions are Arnold’s Chiari Malformation, inoperable cyst growing and multiplying, 3 different degenerative diseases, unknown chronic GI issues, and severe constipation plus ...."

• lit...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 23, 2022

Oxycodone for Chronic Pain "I began using Xtampza 13.5 ER and supplemented with Percocet 5/325 four times as needed. I am now using Xtampza 27 ER and supplement with Percocet 10/325 four to five times a day (mostly take four) as needed, which has greatly reduced my chronic pain. I eat anything I want with no weight gain. It has taken over five years of using Xtampza and Percocet to be very effective in reducing my chronic arthritis pain. I use MiraLAX to control constipation."

• Mar...
• July 12, 2016

For Pain "I have had constant constipation on this medication, but it is a heaven-sent. My doctor recommended me to start on Nopiate along with it. So far, so good, both have been working great for my chronic pain."

• Bac...
• January 19, 2017

Oxycodone for Chronic Pain "Absolutely terrible medicine!! Does nothing for pain. Ibuprofen 800 is about the equivalent. Not to mention constipation. Asked to be lowered from these to 5 mg regular oxycodone & my doc wouldn't do it. Needless to say, I'm in the process of finding a new doctor. If you have a choice between Oxaydo & anything else, opt for the latter."