oxycontin

OxyContin (oxycodone) is an opioid pain medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic.

OxyContin is used to treat moderate to severe pain that is expected to last for an extended period of time. OxyContin is used for around-the-clock treatment of pain. It is not to be used on an "as-needed" basis for pain.

OxyContin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not use OxyContin if you have severe asthma or breathing problems, or a blockage in your stomach or intestines.

OxyContin 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 or break an extended-release Oxycontin tablet. Swallow it whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose.

OxyContin 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 OxyContin.

Before using OxyContin

You should not use OxyContin if you are allergic to oxycodone, or if you have:

• severe asthma or breathing problems;

• a blockage in your stomach or intestines; or

• 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 OxyContin 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 OxyContin to any other person is against the law.

To make sure OxyContin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• any type of breathing problem or lung disease;

• a history of head injury, brain tumor, or seizures;

• a history of drug abuse, alcohol addiction, or mental illness;

• urination problems;

• liver or kidney disease;

• Addison"s disease or other adrenal gland disorder; or

• problems with your gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid.

OxyContin 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 OxyContin while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on oxycodone. 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 OxyContin?

Take OxyContin 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 OxyContin 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 OxyContin to any other person is against the law.

Stop taking all other around-the-clock narcotic pain medications when you start taking Oxycontin.

Do not crush or break an extended-release Oxycontin tablet. Swallow it whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose.

If your doctor has told you to take two or more OxyContin 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.

Do not stop using OxyContin 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 tablet 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 OxyContin 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 OxyContin tablets. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, flush any unused tablets down the toilet. 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?

If you are on a dosing 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.

OxyContin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to OxyContin: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using OxyContin and call your doctor at once if you have:

• shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, cold, clammy skin;

• seizure (convulsions);

• confusion, severe drowsiness; or

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

Common OxyContin side effects may include:

• mild drowsiness, headache, dizziness, tired feeling;

• stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite;

• dry mouth; or

• 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)

What other drugs will affect OxyContin?

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 OxyContin 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.