Oxycodone

Uses

Oxycodone is an opioid pain reliever which is know as a mu receptor agonist and decreases the transmission of pain signals to relieve moderate to severe pain.

How to Use

Take this medication by mouth with water, it can be taken with or without food.

If stomach upset occurs, you can take it with food or milk to decrease this effect.

Take it exactly as directed, do not take it more than directed.

If you miss a dose

, take it as soon as you can. If it is already almost time for your next dose, take only that next dose. Do not double up on any dose.

Important Information

Do not suddenly stop taking this medication after using it for a significant length of time, this can cause a risk of serious adverse events. As you use this medicine over time, your body can develop tolerance and may require more for the same effect. This dose not mean that you are addicted to this medication however, it is important to slowly decrease the dose over time and not stop taking it abruptly.

Contact an emergency line if you have trouble breathing while taking this medication.

Take it exactly as directed, do not take it more than directed.

Be sure that your doctor is aware of all medications that you are currently taking.

Contact your doctor if your pain gets worse, or if you notice a new type of pain.

Do not operate heavy machinery, drive a car, or engage in other activity that requires fine motor skills until you are sure of how this medication affects you.

Stand and sit slowly when first starting this medication to avoid dizziness.

Avoid alcohol consumption, alcohol can increase chance of dizziness or drowsiness.

This medication causes constipation. If you do not have a bowel movement for more than 3 days, contact your healthcare professional.

This medication can make your mouth dry, drinking water, chewing sugarless gum, or sucking on candy can help this side effect.

Be sure that your prescribing doctor is aware if you have any of the the following conditions before taking this medication

Brain tumor, chron’s disease, head injuries, heart or circulation conditions, alcohol consumption, kidney disease, liver disease, mental illness, seizures, thyroid disease, pancreatic disease, asthma or other breathing conditions, pregnancy, breastfeeding, trying to become pregnant.

Side effects that should be immediately reported to your healthcare provider

Allergic reactions(hives, itching, rashes, swelling of the face or mouth), trouble breathing, confusion, fainting or lightheadedness, severe stomach pain, excessive fatigue, yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Other Side Effects

Dizziness, vomiting, drowsiness, nausea.

Adult Dose

This medication is dosed on a case by case bases and each patient should be carefully evaluated for patient specific factors such as risk of addiction or abuse, and previous pain treatments. Opiate pain medications should be only used in patients who have pain that can not be treated with other non opiate medications. It is important to monitor the patient closely for respiratory depression over the course of treatment and within the first 24-72 hours of treatment.

Chronic pain that require a long term daily analgesic regimen

Patients that are opiate naive and do not have opiate tolerance

Immediate Release Tablets:

5-15 mg by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed for pain.

Extended Release Capsule(Xtampza):

9 mg by mouth every 12 hours taken with food. The dose is then adjusted by 25-50% at intervals of 1-2 days. The dose should be the minimum possible dose and for the shortest period of time possible. Additional medication for breakthrough pain may be necessary. The dose should be gradually reduced to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Extended Release Tablet(Oxycontin):

10 mg by mouth every 12 hours. The starting dose is reduced to 1/3 - 1/2 the usual starting dose in patients that are not opiate naive/opiate tolerant, debilitated, or receiving CNS depressants. The dose is titrated by 25-50% every 1-2 days according to patient response.

Sources

1. Roxicodone (oxycodone) tablet [package insert]. Newport, KY: Xanodyne Pharmaceutical, Inc.; 2009.

 2. Oxecta (oxycodone) tablet [package insert]. Bristol, TX: King Pharmaceuticals Inc.; 2013.

3. Xtampza (TM) ER oral extended-release capsules, oxycodone oral extended-release capsules[package insert].Canton, MA: Collegium Pharmaceutical Inc; 2016.