Description
What is Oxycodone
Oxycodone is an opioid painkiller. It’s used to treat severe pain, for example after an operation or a serious injury, or pain from cancer. Sold under Brand names: Oxycontin, Oxypro, Longtec, Reltebon, Zomestine
Oxycodone hydrochloride extended-release tablets are the generic version of Oxycontin. Sometimes it’s also used for other types of long-term pain when other painkillers, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin, have not worked.
Oxycodone is only available on prescription. It comes as slow-release tablets, standard tablets and capsules, and a liquid that you swallow. It can also be given by injection, but this is usually done in hospital.
Oxycodone liquid, standard tablets, capsules and injections work quickly. They’re used for pain which is expected to last for a short time and are often used when you start taking oxycodone, to help find the right dose.
How long does Oxycodone take to work?
- Oxycodone slow-release tablets gradually release the oxycodone into your body over either 12 or 24 hours. They take longer to start working but last longer. They are used for long-term pain.
- Oxycodone liquid and capsules work in 30 to 60 minutes but wear off after 4 to 6 hours. Slow-release tablets can take up to 1 to 2 days to work fully but the pain relief will last longer.
Sometimes your doctor may prescribe both standard and slow-release oxycodone to manage long-term pain.
Oxycodone is sometimes combined with a medicine called naloxone. It comes as a tablet that is used to prevent certain side effects, such as constipation. Oxycodone with naloxone is known by the brand names Myloxifin, Oxyargin or Targinact.
Who can take oxycodone?
Most adults and children aged 1 month and older can take oxycodone.
Babies, young children and older people are more likely to get side effects.
Who may not be able to take oxycodone?
Oxycodone is not suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, tell your doctor or a pharmacist before taking it if you:
- have ever had an allergic reaction to oxycodone or any other medicine
- have lung problems, asthma or breathing difficulties
- have ever had an addiction to alcohol
- have a head injury or condition which causes seizures or fits
- have an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
- have kidney or liver problems
- have an enlarged prostate
- have low blood pressure (hypotension)
- have a mental health condition that is affected by certain medicines
- have had recent stomach surgery or bowel problems
- are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or if you’re breastfeeding
Oxycodone administration and Dosage
Follow your doctor’s instructions about how to use this medicine. This is particularly important because oxycodone can be addictive.
Dosage and strength
Oxycodone comes as:
- capsules containing 5mg, 10mg or 20mg of oxycodone – usually taken 4 to 6 times a day
- standard tablets containing 5mg, 10mg or 20mg of oxycodone – usually taken 4 to 6 times a day
- slow-release tablets containing 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 60mg, 80mg or 120mg of oxycodone – usually taken 1 to 2 times a day
- liquid containing 5mg of oxycodone in 5ml or 10mg of oxycodone in 1ml of liquid – usually taken 4 to 6 times a day. You’ll usually take the strength that contains 5mg in 5ml. If you have oxycodone liquid, always check that you have the right strength
You’ll usually start on a low dose of oxycodone that can be increased gradually until your pain is under control. After this, your doctor may prescribe slow-release tablets which may cut down the number of doses you have to take.
When you stop taking oxycodone your doctor will gradually reduce your dose, especially if you’ve been taking it for a long time.
How to take it
You can take oxycodone at any time of day, but try to take it at the same time every day and space your doses evenly. For example, if you take oxycodone twice a day and have your first dose at 8am, take your second dose around 8pm.
Take oxycodone with, or just after, a meal or snack as it’s less likely to make you feel sick.
It’s important to swallow slow-release oxycodone tablets whole with a drink of water.
How to store oxycodone
If you have been prescribed oxycodone, it’s really important that you:
- store it properly and safely at home
- keep it out of the sight and reach of children
- do not give your medicine to anyone else
- return any unused oxycodone to a pharmacy so it can be thrown away safely
Side effects of oxycodone
Like all medicines, oxycodone can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones.
The higher the dose of oxycodone the more chance that you will get side effects.
Do not take any other medicines to treat the side effects of oxycodone without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor first.
Common side effects
These common side effects of oxycodone happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Constipation
Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
Stomach discomfort
Feeling sleepy or tired
Feeling dizzy and a sensation of spinning (vertigo)
Confusion
Headaches
Itchiness or rash
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if this advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or lasts more than a few days.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects happen in less than 1 in 100 people.
Call a doctor or call 111 now if you: Have muscle stiffness
feel dizzy, tired and have low energy – this could be a sign of low blood pressure (hypotension).
Common questions about oxycodone
What’s the difference between oxycodone and OxyContin?
How does oxycodone work?
Oxycodone is one of a group of medicines called opioids, or narcotics.
It works by blocking pain signals from the central nervous system and the brain to the rest of the body. It also reduces the anxiety and stress caused by pain.
How long does it take to work?
This depends on whether you are taking standard oxycodone capsules, tablets or liquid, or slow-release tablets.
Standard oxycodone takes 30 to 60 minutes to work, but this wears off after 4 to 6 hours.
Slow-release oxycodone can take 1 to 2 days to work fully, but the pain relief will last longer.
Is tramadol stronger than oxycodone?
How does it compare with other opioids?
Oxycodone acts on different pain signals in the brain to some other opioids. This does not mean it’s better for certain conditions.
The pain relief and side effects which you can get from oxycodone will be different for individual people. A doctor may prescribe oxycodone if you have had side effects from other opioids.
Does oxycodone make you itch?
Does oxycodone make you sleepy?
Can you take oxycodone with ibuprofen?
Taking oxycodone with other painkillers
It’s safe to take oxycodone with paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin (do not give aspirin to children under 16 years of age). Do not take oxycodone with painkillers that contain codeine.
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