| Drug Index |
| GENERIC NAME : |
| oxycodone |
| BRAND NAMES : |
| OxyContin, Oxycocet, ETH-Oxydose, Oxyfast, OxylR, Percolone, Roxicet, Roxilox, Roxicodone, Roxicodone Intensol, M-Oxy-Endocodone, Percodan (aspirin/oxycodone), Percocet (acetaminophen/oxycodone) Combunox (ibuprofen/oxycodone) Endodan, Tylox |
| STREET NAMES : |
| kicker, OC, oxy, blue, hillbilly heroin |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION : |
| Oxycodone is an opiate (narcotic) analgesic (pain killer) that binds to the mu(µ) opiate receptor. It is an opioid agonist. Examples of other opioid agonists include substances such as morphine, hydromorphone, fentanyl, codeine, and hydrocodone. It is prescribed in two forms; immediate-release and sustained-release (OxyContin). Immediate-release tablets are administered in oral form and contained 15 or 30 mg of oxycodone. It is most commonly used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. The half-life of oxycodone is three to four hours on average. The body primarily metabolizes oxycodone to noroxycodone, oxymorphone, and their glucuronides. Oxycodone and its metabolites are excreted primarily through the kidneys. Oxycodone is also available in sustained-release tablets (OxyContin) that is available in 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg, and 160 mg tablets. This form of oxycodone remains in the bloodstream longer. It is often used for the treatment of chronic pain. NOTE: This summary will focus solely on oxycodone and will not include descriptions of all of the other medications that may be combined with oxycodone in the brand names listed above. For details on each brand-name medication please refer to other resources listed at the end of this article. |
| INDICATIONS FOR USE : |
| Oxycodone is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. OxyContin is usually used for the treatment of chronic pain. |
| ABUSE AND ADDICTIVE POTENTIAL : |
Use of oxycodone poses a high risk for abuse or dependence. . It should be used with caution in patients with a history of alcohol or substance dependence as this may rightly predisposed to becoming addicted to this drug. A symptom that is easily detected with opiate use is pinpoint pupils (miosis). Psychological dependence may occur early in use of this medication, but physical dependence and tolerance may develop upon repeated administration over several weeks or months (requiring larger or more frequent dosages of hydrocodone to produce relief of pain or achieve a state of euphoria). When oxycodone is abused, the individual is seeking the euphoric effect ("high"). Mild signs of withdrawal can occur in some individuals after using oxycodone for several days consecutively. Addiction to this drug can occur, even if taken as prescribed, when used for several weeks or months consecutively. When taken for treatment of chronic pain for several weeks or months consecutively, tolerance and dependence often occur. Once an individual has become dependent on oxycodone, a primary driving force to continue using oxycodone (or substituting other opiate agonists) is to prevent the very unpleasant neurochemical and physical withdrawal syndrome associated with discontinuing this drug. Symptoms usually associated with withdrawal may include:
(Note: the term "going cold turkey" comes from the gooseflesh that occurs during withdrawal that looks like the skin of a plucked turkey) Withdrawal of oxycodone is best handled by a physician that is skilled at assisting patients with opiate detoxification. Medications are often necessary to help control symptoms of withdrawal. |
| OVERDOSAGE : |
| Acute overdose of oxycodone can cause respiratory depression, extreme drowsiness or prolonged sleeping, stupor or coma, muscle flaccidity, called/clammy skin, slow heart rate (bradycardia), low blood pressure (hypotension), and death. When oxycodone is used in combination with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants, the two drugs potentiate one another and can greatly enhance the risk for overdose. Because of the dangers associated with overdose, immediate medical attention should be sought. |
| CAUTIONS : |
| Any patient with a history of alcohol or substance dependence has a very high risk for developing addiction to oxycodone. If use of this medication is considered necessary for the management of acute or short-term pain, the lowest dose of this medication that is sufficient to provide pain relief is warranted. It is also recommended that use of this medication in an addict be discontinued as soon as possible and pain management thereafter can be managed with non-addictive medications. Respiratory depression is the chief hazard from all opioid agonist medications. Caution should also be exercised when prescribing this medication to individuals with low blood pressure or respiratory problems. There may be serious problems also with use of this medication an individual with an injury or elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure. The administration of oxydodone, like all opioid analgesics, may obscure the diagnosis or clinical course in patients with acute abdominal conditions. Physical dependence and tolerance or not unusual during chronic opioid therapy. Because the drug is primarily eliminated from the body through the kidneys, individuals with kidney (renal) impairment must be monitored closely because the concentration of oxycodone in the bloodstream can be 50% higher than in subjects with normal kidney function. Also, individuals with liver dysfunction show higher peak concentrations of oxycodone and its metabolites compared with individuals with normal liver function. OxyContin tablets are usually prescribed in dosages higher than rapid release oxycodone. OxyContin tablets should be swallowed whole and never broken, shoot, crushed, or injected. This greatly predisposes to a potentially fatal dose of oxycodone. |
| SIDE EFFECTS : |
| Side effects of oxycodone use may include nausea, constipation, vomiting, headache, and itching (pruritus). Adverse effects may include allergic reaction, irregular heartbeat, migraine, confusion, dry mouth, nervousness, tremor, rash, blurred vision, mental clouding, lethargy, mood changes, urinary retention, anxiety, fear, respiratory depression, and personality changes. |
| FOR MORE INFORMATION : |
| *This is a condensed description of oxycodone. For more details check with your physician, pharmacist, or resources such as The Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR) or http://www.drugs.com. |
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