What is oxycodone?

Oxycodone is in a class of drugs called narcotic analgesics. It is a pain reliever.

Oxycodone is used to treat moderate-to-severe pain.

Oxycodone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about oxycodone?

Do not crush, chew, or break controlled-release forms of oxycodone such as Oxycontin. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release oxycodone slowly into your system. Breaking them would cause too much drug to be released into the blood at one time leading to a potentially fatal dose of oxycodone.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Oxycodone will cause drowsiness or dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.

Avoid alcohol while taking oxycodone. Alcohol will greatly increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by oxycodone and could be dangerous.

Oxycodone may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, other antihistamines, other pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if oxycodone is taken with any of these medications.

Never take more oxycodone than is prescribed for you. Taking too much oxycodone could result in serious side effects, even death. If your pain is not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.

Do not share this medication with anyone else.

Who should not take oxycodone?

Oxycodone is habit forming and should only be used under close supervision by patients with an alcohol or drug addiction.

You may not be able to take oxycodone, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Oxycodone is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to cause birth defects. However, oxycodone may cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms, difficulty breathing, as well as other harmful effects in a newborn baby when taken during pregnancy. Do not take oxycodone without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

Oxycodone may cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms, difficulty breathing, and sedation in a nursing infant. Do not take oxycodone without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take oxycodone?

Take oxycodone exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Oxycodone can be taken with food or milk if stomach upset occurs.

Never take more oxycodone than is prescribed for you. Taking too much oxycodone could result in serious side effects, even death. If your pain is not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.

Do not crush, chew, or break controlled-release forms of oxycodone such as Oxycontin. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release oxycodone slowly into your system. Breaking them would cause too much drug to be released into the blood at one time leading to a potentially fatal dose of oxycodone.

Occasionally, empty Oxycontin tablets may be passed out in the stool. This is not a problem. The active medication has been absorbed in the body and the empty tablet shell may appear in the stool.

To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of oxycodone with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

Do not stop taking oxycodone suddenly if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5 to 7 days. Stopping suddenly could cause withdrawal symptoms and make you uncomfortable. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce the dose.

Increasing the amount of fiber and water (six to eight full glasses) in your diet may alleviate constipation.

Do not share this medication with anyone else.

Store oxycodone at room temperature away from moisture and heat and out of the reach of children. When treatment with oxycodone is no longer needed, any remaining medication should be destroyed by flushing down the toilet.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose of this medication. Wait the prescribed amount of time before taking the next dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an oxycodone overdose include slow breathing, seizures, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness, coma, confusion, tiredness, cold and clammy skin, and small pupils.

What should I avoid while taking oxycodone?

Avoid alcohol while taking oxycodone. Alcohol will greatly increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by oxycodone and could be dangerous.

Oxycodone may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, other antihistamines, other pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if oxycodone is taken with any of these medications.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Oxycodone will cause drowsiness or dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.