This may cause serious problems, including overdose and death. Though highly effective in reducing discomfort, this drug produces a range of side-effects, has very high abuse potential, and overdoses can be deadly. Illicit use of opioids like oxycodone has contributed to a drastic increase in opioid-related deaths and health problems, which is a public health crisis in the U.S. The widespread prescribing of oxycodone and other opioids in the 1990s and 2000s contributed to a public health crisis. Overprescription led to increased addiction, overdose deaths, and social consequences.
Side Effects and Risks
- Adrenal insufficiency may present with non-specific symptoms and signs such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and low blood pressure.
- If you become pregnant while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.
- Before taking oxycodone, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
- Overall, the effects of opioids appear to be modestly immunosuppressive.
If withdrawal symptoms arise, it may be necessary to pause the taper for a period of time or raise the dose of the opioid analgesic to the previous dose, and then proceed with a slower taper. In addition, evaluate patients for any changes in mood, emergence of suicidal thoughts, or use of other substances. When oxycodone is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. However, under the close supervision of healthcare providers, people who have continuing pain should not let the fear of dependence keep them from using opioids to relieve their pain. Mental dependence (addiction) is less likely to occur when opioids are used for this purpose.
Titrate the dosage of OXYCONTIN slowly in geriatric patients and frequently reevaluate the patient for signs of central nervous system and respiratory depression. Inform patients and caregivers not to increase opioid dosage without first consulting a clinician. Advise patients to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of hyperalgesia, including worsening pain, increased sensitivity to pain, or new pain see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS. OXYCONTIN may cause severe hypotension, including orthostatic hypotension and syncope in ambulatory patients. Regularly evaluate these patients for signs of hypotension after initiating or titrating the dosage of OXYCONTIN.
The activity of OXYCONTIN is primarily due to the parent drug oxycodone. OXYCONTIN is designed to provide delivery of oxycodone over 12 hours. Oxycodone produces peripheral vasodilation which may result in orthostatic hypotension or syncope. Manifestations of histamine release and/or peripheral vasodilation may include pruritus, flushing, red eyes, sweating, and/or orthostatic hypotension. In case of overdose, priorities are the reestablishment of a patent and protected airway and institution of assisted or controlled ventilation, if needed. Employ other supportive measures (including oxygen, vasopressors) in the management of circulatory shock and pulmonary edema as indicated.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Furthermore, certain medical conditions make its use risky, requiring thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional before any prescription. A clear understanding of these issues is essential to optimize treatment while ensuring patient safety. It may be necessary to provide the patient with lower dosage strengths to accomplish a successful taper.
Oxycodone works to change how your body feels and responds to pain by binding to and activating specific receptors in your body. Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose.
Warnings for people with certain health conditions
Do not drink alcohol or use prescription or over-the-counter medicines that contain alcohol while taking oxycodone. Drinking alcohol while taking oxycodone can increase your risk of overdose and death. Talk to your health care provider if you use or used to use street drugs or have or had a problem using alcohol or prescription medicines or live with someone with this problem. Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are oxycodone uses side effects precautions prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Does oxycodone/acetaminophen interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
- Individually titrate OXYCONTIN to a dosage that provides adequate analgesia and minimizes adverse reactions.
- Tolerance is normal and is expected if you take this medication for a long time.
- Instruct patients to swallow OXYCONTIN tablets whole; crushing, chewing, or dissolving OXYCONTIN tablets can cause rapid release and absorption of a potentially fatal dose of oxycodone see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS.
- Call your health care provider if you are having more pain, pain from things that would normally not cause you pain, or pain in other parts of your body.
- Some people taking oxycodone/acetaminophen have had severe constipation.
If concomitant use is warranted, consider prescribing naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression and OVERDOSE. Observational studies have demonstrated that concomitant use of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines increases the risk of drug-related mortality compared to use of opioid analgesics alone. Because of similar pharmacological properties, it is reasonable to expect similar risk with the concomitant use of other CNS depressant drugs with opioid analgesics see DRUG INTERACTIONS. Accidental ingestion of even one dose of OXYCONTIN, especially by children, can result in respiratory depression and death due to an overdose of oxycodone. This risk is increased with concurrent abuse of OXYCONTIN with alcohol and/or other CNS depressants see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and DRUG INTERACTIONS. For patients with hepatic impairment, start dosing patients at one-third to one-half the recommended starting dosage and titrate the dosage carefully.
The respiratory depression involves a reduction in the responsiveness of the brain stem respiratory centers to both increases in CO2 tension and electrical stimulation. The most frequent adverse events observed in pediatric patients were vomiting, nausea, headache, pyrexia, and constipation see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, ADVERSE REACTIONS, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY and Clinical Studies. The safety and efficacy of OXYCONTIN have been established in pediatric patients ages 11 to 16 years.
Accidental ingestion of even one dose of OXYCONTIN, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of oxycodone see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS. Our Oxycontin Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication. Safety has not been established in children under age 18; caution or avoidance is suggested in pregnant and breastfeeding women as infants can be born with opioid tolerance and depressed respirations. In addition, low concentrations of Oxycontin have been found in breast milk. This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Do not take more than one dose of the extended-release tablets or capsules in 12 hours. Oxycodone comes as a solution (liquid), a tablet, a capsule, an extended-release (long-acting) tablet, and an extended-release capsule to take by mouth. The solution, tablet, and capsule are taken with or without food every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain.The extended-release tablets and capsules are prescribed when pain relief is needed around the clock and are taken every 12 hours. The capsules should be taken with food but the tablets can be taken with or without food.
Monitor such patients for signs of sedation and respiratory depression, particularly when initiating therapy with OXYCONTIN. OXYCONTIN contains oxycodone, an opioid agonist and Schedule II controlled substance with an abuse liability similar to other opioid agonists, legal or illicit, including fentanyl, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, and oxymorphone. OXYCONTIN can be abused and is subject to misuse, addiction, and criminal diversion see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and Drug Abuse And Dependence. With parenteral abuse, the inactive ingredients in OXYCONTIN can be expected to result in local tissue necrosis, infection, pulmonary granulomas, increased risk of endocarditis, valvular heart injury, embolism, and death. OXYCONTIN, like other opioids, can be diverted for nonmedical use into illicit channels of distribution. Careful record-keeping of prescribing information, including quantity, frequency, and renewal requests, as required by state and federal law, is strongly advised.
As an opioid, oxycodone works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which reduces the perception of pain. It alters the way the brain processes pain signals, providing relief for individuals suffering from acute injuries, chronic conditions, or post-surgical pain. If you have a condition called a paralytic ileus, you should not take oxycodone. Or if you have any type of GI obstruction, you should not take extended-release oxycodone. Oxycodone oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking.