Oxycodone
This information is intended for use ONLY after you have been prescribed oxycodone.
Key points about oxycodone
- Oxycodone is used for the relief of moderate to severe pain resulting from an injury or operation, or caused by a terminal illness such as cancer.
- Follow the instructions on the label of your medicine, for how much to take and how often.
- Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.

Oxycodone is used for the relief of moderate to severe pain experienced after an injury or operation, or pain caused by a terminal illness such as cancer. It's usually used when milder pain medicines such as paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) don’t work well enough.
- Oxycodone belongs to a group of medicines called opioids. They act on your brain and nervous system to reduce pain.
- Other types of pain relievers such as paracetamol and NSAIDs (ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen) may also be used with oxycodone.
- Read more about pain, pain-relief medication and opioids.
Some types of oxycodone are immediate release (or short-acting) and others are controlled release (or long-acting)
- Immediate release: These start working quickly to ease pain and are usually taken every 4 to 6 hours..
- Controlled release: These work slowly over several hours to give a constant and more even pain control. They are usually taken twice daily (12 hours apart) or once daily, at about the same time each day.
- Follow the instructions on the label of your medicine, for how much to take and how often.
August 2024: Oxycodone immediate release is changing from OxyNorm capsules to Oxycodone Amneal tabletsThe supplier of the OxyNorm capsules is leaving the New Zealand market. The new brand is Oxycodone Amneal immediate release tablets, available as 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg tablets. Oxycodone Amneal tablets have the same active ingredient as OxyNorm oxycodone capsules and should work in the same way. ![]() Note:
Find out more about Oxycodone immediate release tablets: Amneal is the new brand(external link). |
The dose of oxycodone will be different for different people.
- Some types of oxycodone are immediate release or short-acting and others are controlled release or long-acting. Follow the instructions on the label of your medicine, for how much to take and how often.
- Always take your oxycodone exactly as your doctor has told you. Depending on the reason you are taking it, your doctor may advise that you take it regularly or take oxycodone only when you need it for pain relief. Make sure you know which is right for you.
- If you’re drowsy or sleepy, don’t take your next dose until you’re wide awake. Ask your healthcare provider for advice.
- Follow the instructions on the label of your medicine, for how much to take and how often.
- You can take oxycodone with or without food.
- Some types of oxycodone are immediate release or short-acting and others are controlled release or long-acting.
- Ask your pharmacist if you're not sure about the type you're taking.
- If you're taking it regularly and forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember that day. But if it's nearly time for your next dose, just take the next dose at the right time. Do not take double the amount.
Formulation | How to take it |
Immediate release – examples are Oxycodone Amneal tablets or Oxynorm liquid |
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Controlled release – examples are Oxycodone Sandoz, Oxycodone Controlled Release or OxyContin. |
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Eat plenty of fibre and drink more water while you are taking oxycodone
- Oxycodone can affect your bowel movements – it might be hard or painful to poo (constipation).
- If this happens, ask your healthcare provider for a laxative, to soften your poo.
- Eating foods with fibre, drinking plenty of water and keeping active can help.
Oxycodone can make you sleepy, drowsy, dizzy or affect your concentration
- If you’re drowsy or sleepy, don’t take your next dose until you’re wide awake. Ask your healthcare provider for advice.
- Limit or avoid alcohol as it can make these effects worse.
- Don’t drive a vehicle, ride a bike or operate machinery (including power tools) and don’t make important personal or business decisions or sign legal papers.
Taking other medicines
- Your doctor may recommend taking other pain relievers such as paracetamol and NSAIDs (ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen) as well. If taken regularly, they can reduce how much oxycodone you need to take.
- If you're taking any other medicines, or starting a new medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure they're safe to take with oxycodone. This includes any medicines you buy without a prescription (over the counter), such as herbal and complementary medicines or recreational drugs.
Oxycodone reduces severe pain but won’t take all of your pain away
If your pain isn’t improving:
- Don’t take extra doses.
- Try other ways to manage your pain such as relaxation techniques, gentle exercises and stretches.
Oxycodone is addictive
- If you're addicted to oxycodone, you may find it difficult to stop taking it or feel you need to take it more often than necessary.
- It's unusual for people who are prescribed oxycodone for a short time or for a terminal illness to become addicted to it.
- Some people are more likely to develop addiction than others and seem to be very sensitive to the cravings. You may be at risk for addiction if you have mental health problems (such as depression) or a history of substance abuse, including alcohol and recreational drugs.
- To reduce your risk of addiction when using oxycodone for short-term pain relief, use it for the shortest possible time, at the lowest effective dose.
- Have a plan in place for how and when to reduce and stop taking oxycodone.
- Talk to your doctor if you're worried about addiction or if you want to know more about how to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Like all medicines, oxycodone can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.
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Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.
Medsafe Consumer Information sheets: Oxycontin(external link); Oxycodone(external link); Oxynorm capsules(external link)
New Zealand Formulary Patient Information: oxycodone (short acting)(external link)
oxycodone (long acting)(external link)
Brochures
Managing pain and opioid medicines(external link) NPS MedicineWise and Choosing Wisely Australia
Risks of opioid medicines(external link) Medsafe and Ministry of Health, NZ
Oxycodone(external link) SafeRx, Waitematā DHB, NZ
5 questions to ask about your medications(external link) Health Quality and Safety Commission, NZ English(external link), te reo Māori(external link)
Opioid medicines for short-term pain [PDF, 105 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ English [PDF, 105 KB], te reo Māori [PDF, 126 KB]
References
- Oxycodone – how did we get here and how do we fix it?(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2014
- Oxycodone hydrochloride(external link) New Zealand Formulary
Brochures
NPS MedicineWise & Choosing Wisely Australia
Medsafe and Ministry of Health, NZ, 2022
Credits: Sandra Ponen, Pharmacist, Healthify He Puna Waiora. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.
Reviewed by: Angela Lambie, Pharmacist, Auckland
Last reviewed: