Oxycodone and Withdrawal: What Users Say

• Jan...
• December 26, 2020

For Pain "I take the oxycodone 10/325. Recently, all pharmacies in my area changed to Rhodes brand. It's garbage. Either it does not have the right amount of medicine or the strength is incorrect. I never have a single issue with any other brand. I get withdrawal symptoms, my legs jump, and it keeps me from sleeping because it does not manage the pain as it should. If you try to split the pills, they crumble. Does no one oversee these pharmaceutical companies?"

• Chi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 9, 2019

Oxycodone for Chronic Pain "I've been taking 80mg IR OxyContin for 15 years. With 30mg IR morphine, I have stage 3 lung cancer and colon cancer. My pain doctor stopped the 80s with no warning. I suffered for three months with withdrawals and had to go to the ER a lot. My pain has increased and the pain doctor won't do anything. He's scared of losing his license. Now the ER wants nothing to do with me. So I cry a lot sitting at home, wishing somebody would do something. I don't understand how they can't help me with the pain. I know they closed down Purdue, all those billions the lawyers took, but what about us, the people suffering from pain? Nobody cares about us."

• RMD...
• July 26, 2020

Oxycodone for Chronic Pain "Have been in pain management for 45 years. Have been on morphine twice daily and oxycodone three times a day for years. It needs to be increased. But like everyone else, I am at the mercy of the dictatorship. Maximum dosage is achieved and, according to the government, my pain is under control and NO INCREASE IS ALLOWED. Doctor suggested Xtampa because OxyContin was denied. I started going through withdrawal within two days. Pain increased severely and side effects were horrid! My doctor put me back on the morphine, and I am back to my normal. Although the doctor swears it's a good drug. Look up how much kickback doctors make on prescriptions, sure they want you to try it, whether it works or not! Best of luck to all members of Club Pain!! In ratings, I can't do -10 so here it is!"

• Wis...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 4, 2016

Oxycodone for Chronic Pain "I have to laugh when I read some of these comments. Why do I itch? Because you are taking too much! Listen, I take 7 pills a day of oxycodone 80 mg and 15 pills a day of Roxicodone 30 mg because a doctor years ago decided it would be the best thing for me, and it was the worst thing he ever did to me. I take over 210 80s a month and 450 30s, that's 660 pills a month - yes, one month! I would tell anyone, do not take these meds. I am so addicted to these now, and now with Obama and the DEA against them, doctors are being told to take people off them. Well, that's great, now I deal with the withdrawal and it's terrible. Please, please, please, if you really need the meds, take them with caution, they become so addictive, it doesn't matter who you are."

• FCa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 1, 2020

For Chronic Pain "I've been on Oxycodone for several years for chronic back pain. The ones I recently got from CVS in Niles, OH, made by Rhodes Pharma, is not what it says it is. I'm in severe pain and having withdrawal symptoms for more than a week of using it vs other brands. I am miserable! AVOID this manufacturer. If you Google Rhodes Pharma, you'll see there are others with the same complaint. I'm contacting the FDA, CVS, and Rhodes to file a complaint. Insurance pricing on this cheap drug is $95.00 - $195.00, but I use a coupon and pay $28.00 for 150 tablets."

• InP...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 8, 2020

For Chronic Pain "KVK Tech immediate release oxycodone does not work at all. After spending a horrific month in serious withdrawal and out-of-control pain, I started researching to find out why this medication was not working. I found that in November 2017, KVK Tech changed the formula of IR oxycodone to an 'Abuse Deterrent' version that literally rendered the medication useless. The active ingredient is not being delivered once in the body due to the abuse deterrent properties. It's absolute garbage, no better than a sugar pill. Once again, they cater to addicts while legitimate pain sufferers pay the price."

• Ski...
• July 13, 2018

Oxycodone for Chronic Pain "I have taken all the usual prescription opiates over the past 14 years almost daily. Xtampza is very inconsistent and dangerous and therefore ineffective. My experience is that it is not time-released. The withdrawal is the worst, yet I paid a lot of money for these fancy capsules, which are just a marketing scheme. I would not recommend this so-called pain med to anyone. Big pharma guinea pig!!"

• 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."

• Mad...
• January 24, 2016

Oxycodone for Chronic Pain "I have been prescribed OxyContin 60mg for well over 6 years now. In just the last 2 months, I have gotten a refill. I know for a fact that either the manufacturer or where they get their medication through, there has been a shortage of the medication per the dosage compared to what it used to be. I don't know at what level this is occurring. Whether this is another government regulation that says if someone is prescribed 60mg tablets, the manufacturer is only allowed to put 30mg in that tablet? I have been on this same medication for a long time, and starting December 2015 and January 2016, my medication has been shorted. My body goes through tremendous withdrawal symptoms each month I refill this medication. I need an answer."

• Bel...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 5, 2019

Oxycodone for Chronic Pain "Been on and off of it for intractable pain and trigeminal neuralgia for 10 years. I was taking 30 mg every 4 hours or 6×a day. That worked for me for a long time until my doctor of 14 years retired, and it's been downhill from there. Now I'm only prescribed 30 mg 3 times a day and thinking about what options I have because when you're on these drugs for so long, you don't have adequate relief or adequate medication. It just leaves you in a state of withdrawal and increased sensitivity to pain."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2021

Oxycodone for Chronic Pain "I was just forced to this Xtampza after having been on OxyContin ER 40 mg x 3 a day for over 10 years. I never had any issues with Purdue Pharmaceuticals OxyContin. This Xtampza is a joke. Dr. is force tapering & switched me to 36 mg Xtampza ER 2 x a day. My dose was lowered by 40 mg a day in one go. I'm experiencing horrific withdrawals, and this medication is NOT working at all. Twice a day is not enough. The bioavailability is all over the board and way too inconsistent, depending on high-fat food. This medication should be pulled off the market. Does NOT last anywhere near a 12-hour period. The 'studies' showing it does are a damn LIE. It's all about the addicts now. Guess what? Those addicts will keep using & move on. However, chronic pain patients are being force tapered, thrown to the streets, and left to fend for themselves. Many are paying for this with their lives. Something needs to change here. We need to get louder or nothing will change this suffering."

• Non...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 30, 2025

For Chronic Pain "I get prescribed oxycodone (Roxicodone) two 15 mg three times a day. Mallinckrodt was the best I’ve ever had. I was actually getting my life back and accomplishing more. And everybody, including my doctor, pharmacist, parents, coworkers, and friends, were telling me how great I seemed to be doing! Then I was prescribed Rhodes; I honestly didn’t know what was happening. The pharmacist scoffed at me when I told her that it wasn’t working. I went back to my original pharmacy, and they have been riding me. KVK Tech, which has been working well by all means. With no heads up, this month I was prescribed Amneal. Unfortunately, I am experiencing zero pain relief, withdrawal symptoms, diarrhea, yawning. This is absolutely awful; my work sent me home because of how bad it has gotten. Mallinckrodt = 10/10, KVK Tech = 7/10, Amneal = 1/10, Rhodes = 0/10. I’ve heard good things about Alvogen."

• Kat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 6, 2019

For Chronic Pain "Thank you, Major Payne, for directing me on who to complain to regarding the variations in the generic formulas of oxycodone HCL 10 mg. I have been on oxycodone for over 8 years due to chronic back pain from surgical malpractice (doctor put artificial disc in crooked), which instead of having me walking in six weeks, has me disabled for life. I always get a little pink pill from KVK Tech, this month, CVS prescribed me a little white pill from Rhodes Pharmaceutical. I was shocked when my pain was not being managed, and I was going into withdrawals. After some research, I discovered not all generics are alike. It is despicable that this company can get away with not following proper protocol in regard to the ingredients needed to make it effective. I will be making calls and sending emails. Thank you for the information! Hang in there, Pain People."

• Ano...
• December 31, 2019

For Chronic Pain "Speaking of the new big white oxycodone pills. My wife has been on this medication for over a decade. She has been given at least 2 different blue pills, as well as yellow ones, all of which have been effective. Over the last 2.5 months, she has had big white pills, and it is clear they are ineffective. With the other brands, she didn't have it easy, but was able to get out of bed and sometimes out of the house. Since the switch, I have seen a clear, significant downturn in her health. She shows signs of withdrawal (no change in dose), and her pain has increased significantly. It has been so bad that we were forced to miss Thanksgiving, and Christmas had to be moved to our house (and paid dearly for it). We tried finding the old medication with no luck. It was brought up to both her doctor and pharmacist, and she was told she is S.O.L (Sadly Outta Luck). I know the FDA will do nothing, but I think it's important to speak up. Maybe if enough people do, it will force the manufacturer's hand to reevaluate their formula."

• Fre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2022

Oxycodone for Chronic Pain "A big caution - this drug requires you to have a gallbladder and a fully functioning bile system or your body will not absorb it. If you are being taken off another opiate, you will suffer major withdrawal symptoms as the Xtampza won't be absorbed and you will have stopped your original opiate. Can you spell cold turkey? It happened to me and it sucked!"

• mau...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 16, 2015

Oxycodone for Chronic Pain "Initially, it was beneficial in easing my chronic pain until I had a recent back operation. Now I am being brought down from a dosage of 120 mg per day and now down to 25 mg per day. Coming off it has been particularly stressful coping with the withdrawal factor, but I have recognized the withdrawal symptoms and am learning to cope with them on a daily basis with the help of my GP, who has also become my counselor and is helping me with this painful regression of dosage. It has been a period of 4 months so far, and I am hopeful of being totally free of the medicine within that same time frame. Although it helped me to get through the pain until the operation, it has been a very painful process of withdrawal. If possible, an alternative medication would be advisable."

• Oka...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I have been a chronic pain patient for 10+ years and had it controlled to an extent taking oxycodone. About 4 months ago, the manufacturer brand of the oxycodone was changed to Rhodes Pharmaceuticals, and ever since, I have been incredibly sick, in major pain, and in withdrawals 24 hours a day! I did some research and saw the reviews for this company's meds and complaints, and I swear to the powers above, once I switched to a different manufacturer, I feel much better! Whatever was in or isn't in the Rhodes' pills, it made me so sick I couldn't even get out of bed some days and ended up in the ER as I have COPD and in withdrawals that I didn't know about! After the ER visit, today on the new medication, I feel like a semi-human again! The Rhodes Pharmaceutical meds are inefficient, making people sick with whatever they are putting in (or not) their pills! Plus, losing 20 pounds in a year that I could not afford to lose as I'm end stage COPD and underweight from being unable to eat from the side effects from their med. Can anyone share on this site?"

• Tys...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 1, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I have had too many broken bones to list, many through medical malpractice, car accidents, etc., etc. I've been on Mallinkrodt Oxy 30 mg these last 7 months for a broken femur and humerus. I was switched to Manf. Epic and went through withdrawals for 3 weeks. Then got really sick on Mallinkrodt last month. They are changing ingredients. Read books or at least reviews on Amazon, 'BOTTLE OF LIES' and 'DANGEROUS DOSES' by Kathleen Eban regarding the changes to our generic medications and even brand medications. I was sick after reading what our FDA is permitting, as I'm sure you will be. If we don't band together and start making calls to the FDA, our government representatives, and raising hell, this will continue to get worse and worse."

• Kro...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 29, 2019

For Chronic Pain "Was just given the Rhodes Pharmaceutical 15 mg of oxycodone on Tues, Dec 24, and I immediately noticed a lack of potency and stomach issues start to erupt. My pharmacy gave me the standard answer of we can’t switch it out or take it back, and they order what they order and they can only send me what they send me. So I called my pain management after hours on Saturday after having my stomach feel like it’s boiling from trying to use this horrid substitute. Thank goodness they felt compassion and have called in a new script to a different pharmacy that has something other than Rhodes. Now I have to pay out of pocket because insurance will not cover another script since I just paid for one, and I have to go all the way back to the doctor’s office on Monday to destroy the remaining Rhodes pills. Definitely a hassle, but the alternative is excruciating stomach pain and lack of pain relief/withdrawal."

• Nan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 20, 2020

For Chronic Pain "I have been on Oxycodone for about 3 years. Then one day my new prescription didn't work. It was Rhodes brand, and they had obviously changed the formula. I was able to find a small pharmacy with older stock, and they worked fine, but the pharmacy went out of business, so I was back to newer Rhodes oxycodone pills. After a couple of months, I got used to them, but then the pharmacy switched to Amneal oxycodone brand. They are far less potent than even the Rhodes brand. Now I'm going through withdrawals, even though I took 2. How do these pharmaceutical companies get away with selling these substandard medications?"

• ANG...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 2, 2013

For Pain "Without this medication, I wouldn't be able to do all the things that a mum is supposed to do. I have three small children and it's hard, especially with bulging discs and joints that, because of wear and tear, are so incredibly painful. The only thing is the withdrawals. I forgot to get my script over the holiday and had no pain relief for four days. It was the worst four days of my whole entire life. I will never ever put myself through that ever again. If I could give one bit of advice to someone who was starting on this medication, it would be to only take what you need."

• Ken...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2021

Oxycodone for Pain "I was on OxyContin 40, my insurance forced me to Xtampza 36. Compared with name-brand OxyContin, Xtampza is better for me. It works within 40 minutes, and it lasts 12 hours. OxyContin took 90 minutes to start working, and it stopped working after 8 hours. I wish I had Xtampza years ago. You must take it with food, taking it with no food or a very small amount of food is assuring you that you will experience pain and withdrawal that day. Since it's so expensive, make sure you are eating an orange, a bagel, or a cup of yogurt is enough, no need for a full meal. If you can't swallow the giant Xtampza capsule, you can open it and mix the contents with whatever you're eating."

• Fiz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 21, 2022

For Chronic Pain "I just switched pharmacies and was given the Rhodes generic for my 10/325 oxycodone prescription, which I’ve been taking for just over a year now, and it’s been an absolute nightmare this week. No pain relief and full-blown withdrawal symptoms within the first 24 hours. Depression, suicidal thoughts, and I’m feeling just awful. I called the chain pharmacy I switched to, and they said they cannot swap or help me, so I’m stuck in this nightmare for the month. Had I known generics varied from being legitimate for pain relief to completely useless, I would have done research and requested a certain brand. I can’t believe this is an actual thing in 2022. I filled out the form for the FDA that someone else posted, making an official complaint, and I’d honestly like to send some of the pills out to get tested and checked. Thank you to everyone who took the time to leave your feedback as I now know I’m not alone."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2022

Oxycodone for Chronic Pain "I've been a pain patient for nearly 20 years due to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Switched from generic MS Contin 15 mg twice a day to Xtampza 13.5 mg twice a day. One word: torture. Constant GI upset with diarrhea and feeling like my insides are writhing with worms. A complete lack of dreaming (no darkness, just like being turned off and on again) with horrifying intrusive thoughts and mood swings. Pain in parts of my body where I didn't have pain before, or where pain was previously well-controlled. Feeling dangerously high and then going into total withdrawal (I kept the Narcan on my bedside table and told my family to check on me). I took it with a fatty meal, the same meal every time, and had a different experience every 12 hours. At no time did I feel safe taking this medication. This has left me feeling terrified to try anything else and suspicious of my doctor's reasons for switching me. I firmly believe this medication was manufactured to scare people away from opioids."

• Spe...
• September 17, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I started weaning off OxyContin forcefully by my doctor (thyroid cancer, two radical neck dissections), and two weeks prior to that, my pharmacy switched to Rhodes Oxycodone. I was in withdrawals way before tapering my OxyContin. My doctor is blowing me off, and I guess I need to be my own advocate and find a different pharmacy that carries it. Two months now, and I have such miserable joint pain I can barely get to the bathroom in the morning."