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Oxycodone

Sounds like 'ox-ee-KOH-doan"

Key points about oxycodone

Oxycodone is used for pain relief.
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.
Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.

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Oxycodone is used for the relief of moderate to severe pain such as after an injury, or operation or pain caused by a terminal illness such as cancer. It is usually used when other milder painkillers such as paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) don’t work well enough.

Oxycodone belongs to a group of medicines called opioid painkillers. They act on your brain and nervous system to reduce pain.
Other pain relievers such as paracetamol and NSAIDs (ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen) may also be used with oxycodone.
Oxycodone is not very effective for nerve pain.
Read more about pain, pain-relief medication, opioid painkillers.

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: The tablets 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 tablets

The supplier of the OxyNorm capsules is leaving the New Zealand market.

The new brand is Oxycodone Amneal immediate release tablets, which is 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 body in the same way.

Note:

The new immediate release Oxycodone Amneal tablets must not be confused with oxycodone controlled-release tablets.
If you take oxycodone controlled-release tablets you might now be taking a tablet for both immediate and controlled release oxycodone.
Please talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about this.

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 regular doses or take oxycodone only when you need it for pain relief. Make sure you know which is right for you.

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 having regular dosing 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. These are usually taken every 4 to 6 hours. They start working quickly to ease pain.
Controlled release	Examples are Oxycodone Sandoz, Oxycodone Controlled Release or OxyContin. The tablets work slowly over several hours to give a constant and more even pain control – these are called modified-release or controlled-release tablets. These are usually taken twice daily (12 hours apart) or once daily (at the same time each day). Swallow the tablets whole – do not break or chew them, otherwise, they may release the medicine too quickly and cause side-effects.

Oxycodone can make you sleepy, drowsy, dizzy or impair your concentration: 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.
Next dose: If you’re drowsy or sleepy, don’t take your next dose until you’re wide awake. Ask your healthcare provider for advice.
If your pain isn’t improving: Don’t take extra doses. If you’re also prescribed paracetamol or anti-inflammatories, you can use them with oxycodone. If you're not sure, ask your healthcare provider.
Eat plenty of fibre and drink more water: 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 water and keeping active can help.
Try other ways to manage your pain: Oxycodone reduces severe pain but won’t take all of your pain away. Try relaxation techniques, gentle exercises and stretches.
Tell all your healthcare providers you’re taking oxycodone: Ask your doctor or pharmacist if it’s safe to take any other medicines – especially those you take for pain, anxiety, sleep or depression. Oxycodone can affect some medicines.
Don’t share your oxycodone with others.
Return any leftover oxycodone to your pharmacy for safe disposal.

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.

Addiction

Addiction is a strong craving. If you 're addicted to oxycodone, it means you're not able to control your use of it or stop taking it. 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, oxycodone for short-term pain relief should be used for the shortest possible time, at the lowest effective dose, with a plan in place to reduce and withdraw treatment.

Other side effects

Side effects	What should I do?
Feeling sleepy, dizzy or tired Reduced concentration	This is common when starting oxycodone or after increasing the dose. Be careful when driving or using tools until you know how this medicine affects you. Don't drink alcohol.
Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)	This is common when you first start taking oxycodone. Mostly this settles and goes away. Tell your doctor if this bother you. You may need an anti-sickness tablet at times.
Constipation	Ask your doctor to prescribe a suitable laxative, which you need to take on a regular basis. You also need to eat more fruit, vegetables, brown bread, bran-based breakfast cereals and drink plenty of water. Read more about how to ease and prevent constipation.
Headache, dry mouth, altered vision	These are quite common when you first start taking oxycodone and usually go away with time. Tell your doctor if they bother you.
Frequent mood changes, anxiety, depression, thoughts of suicide, abnormal behaviours	Tell your doctor immediately or ring Healthline 0800 611 116.
Signs of an allergic reaction such as skin rashes, itches, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or difficulty breathing	Tell your doctor immediately or ring Healthline 0800 611 116.