Oxycodone is an opioid pain medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic.
Oxycodone is used to treat moderate to severe pain.
Oxycodone extended-release is used for around-the-clock treatment of pain. This form of oxycodone is not for use on an as-needed basis for pain.
Important information
You should not use oxycodone if you have severe asthma or breathing problems, or a blockage in your stomach or intestines.
Oxycodone can slow or stop your breathing, especially when you start using this medicine or whenever your dose is changed. Never take this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Do not crush, break, or open an extended-release pill (Oxycontin). Swallow it whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose.
Oxycodone may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Never share the medicine with another person. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC PAIN MEDICATION CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Oxycodone may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in a newborn.
Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with oxycodone.
Before using oxycodone
You should not use oxycodone if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
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severe asthma or breathing problems;
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a blockage in your stomach or intestines; or
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an allergy to any narcotic pain medicine (such as methadone, morphine, Oxycontin, Darvocet, Percocet, Vicodin, Lortab, and many others), or narcotic cough medicine that contains codeine, hydrocodone, or dihydrocodeine.
Oxycodone may be habit forming. Never share this medicine 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. Selling or giving away oxycodone to any other person is against the law.
To make sure oxycodone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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any type of breathing problem or lung disease;
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a history of head injury, brain tumor, or seizures;
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a history of drug abuse, alcohol addiction, or mental illness;
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urination problems;
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liver or kidney disease;
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Addison"s disease or other adrenal gland disorder; or
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problems with your gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid.
Oxycodone is more likely to cause breathing problems in older adults and people who are severely ill, malnourished, or otherwise debilitated.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. If you use oxycodone while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks.
Oxycodone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using this medicine.
How should I use oxycodone?
Take oxycodone exactly as prescribed. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Oxycodone can slow or stop your breathing, especially when you start using this medicine or whenever your dose is changed. Never take in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
Oxycodone may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH,especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Selling or giving away oxycodone to nay other person is against the law.
Stop taking all other around-the-clock narcotic pain medications when you start taking extended-release oxycodone (Oxycontin).
Do not crush, break, or open an extended-release pill. Swallow it whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose.
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 liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
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 this medicine.
Never crush or break a pill to inhale the powder or mix it into a liquid to inject the drug into your vein. This practice has resulted in death with the misuse of oxycodone and similar prescription drugs.
Store 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.
Do not keep leftover oxycodone pills or liquid. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, flush any unused pills or liquid medicine down the toilet. Throw away any unused liquid oxycodone that is older than 90 days. Disposal of medicines by flushing is recommended to reduce the danger of accidental overdose causing death. This advice applies to a very small number of medicines only. 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 used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are on a schedule, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An oxycodone overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.
What should I avoid?
Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with oxycodone. Check your food and medicine labels to be sure these products do not contain alcohol.
This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how you are affected. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls or other accidents.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with oxycodone and lead to unwanted side effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.
Oxycodone side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to oxycodone: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using oxycodone and call your doctor at once if you have:
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shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, cold, clammy skin;
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seizure (convulsions);
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confusion, severe drowsiness; or
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a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.
Common oxycodone side effects may include:
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mild drowsiness, headache, dizziness, tired feeling;
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stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite;
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dry mouth; or
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mild 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: 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:
Greater than 1 year and less than 50 kg: 0.05 mg to 0.15 mg/kg/dose every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
Greater than 1 year and greater than or equal to 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?
Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor before taking oxycodone with a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, other pain medicine, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.
Other drugs may interact with oxycodone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
