Brand Name(s): OxyIR, Percolone, Roxicodone
Generic Name Oxycodone
What are oxycodone tablets or capsules?
OXYCODONE (Roxicodone®, OxyIR®, M-Oxy™, Percolone™) relieves moderate to severe pain. Federal law prohibits the transfer of oxycodone to any person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed. Do not share this medicine with anyone else. Generic oxycodone tablets are available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•if you frequently drink alcohol-containing beverages or have a history of drug abuse
•abnormal bladder function, difficulty urinating
•constipation
•heart disease
•intestinal disease
•kidney disease
•liver disease
•lung disease, severe asthma, or breathing difficulties
•mental problems
•seizures
•other chronic health condition
•an unusual or allergic reaction to oxycodone, codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take oxycodone tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. If oxycodone upsets your stomach, you can take it with food or milk.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Do not share this medicine with anyone.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with oxycodone?
•medicines for high blood pressure
•medicines for seizures
•ritonavir
Because oxycodone can cause drowsiness, other medicines that also cause drowsiness may increase this effect of oxycodone. Some medicines that cause drowsiness are:
•alcohol and alcohol-containing medicines
•barbiturates such as phenobarbital
•certain antidepressants or tranquilizers
•muscle relaxants
•certain antihistamines used in cold medicines
Ask your prescriber or health care professional about other medicines that may increase the effect of oxycodone.
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking oxycodone?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon:
•breathing difficulties, wheezing
•cold, clammy skin
•seizures
•slow or fast heartbeat
•severe rash
•unusual weakness
More common:
•confusion
•lightheadedness or fainting spells
•nervousness or restlessness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•itching
•clumsiness, unsteadiness
•constipation
•decrease or difficulty passing urine
•dizziness, drowsiness
•dry mouth
•flushing
•headache
•nausea, vomiting
•pinpoint pupils
•sweating
What should I watch for while taking oxycodone?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your pain does not go away, if it gets worse, or if you have new or different type of pain.
Use exactly as directed by your prescriber or health care professional. If you are taking oxycodone on a regular basis, do not suddenly stop taking it. Your body becomes used to the oxycodone and when you suddenly stop taking it, you may develop a severe reaction. This does NOT mean you are "addicted" to oxycodone. Addiction is a behavior related to getting and using a drug for a non-medical reason. If you have pain, you have a medical reason to take pain medicine such as oxycodone to control your pain. If you do stop oxycodone treatment after several days, your prescriber will gradually decrease your dose over a period of time to avoid any adverse reactions.
You may get drowsy or dizzy when you first start taking oxycodone or change doses. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how oxycodone affects you. Stand or sit up slowly, this reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. These effects may be worse if you are an older patient. The drowsiness should decrease after taking oxycodone for a couple of days. If you have not slept because of your pain, you may sleep more the first few days your pain is controlled to catch-up on missed sleep.
Be careful taking other medicines which may also make you tired. This effect may be worse when taking these medicines with oxycodone. Alcohol can increase possible drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and affect your breathing. Avoid alcohol while taking oxycodone.
Oxycodone will cause constipation. Make sure to take a laxative and/or a stool softener while taking oxycodone. Try to have a bowel movement at least every 2—3 days. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days or more call your prescriber or health care professional. They may recommend using an enema or suppository to help you move your bowels.
Your mouth may get dry. Drinking plenty of water, chewing sugarless gum or sucking on hard candy may help to relieve dry mouth symptoms. Have regular dental checks.
If you are going to have surgery tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking oxycodone.
Rarely, oxycodone may cause you to have hallucinations (to see things that are not really there) or cause your legs or arms to "jerk" or have spasms. If you experience these effects, call your prescriber or health care professional.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Do not share or give this medicine to anyone else. Avoid accidental swallowing of oxycodone by someone (especially children) other than the person for whom it was prescribed as this may result in severe effects and possibly death.
Store at room temperature between 15—30 degrees C (59—86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
| Available at: www.DrugDigest.org | Last Updated:06/07/2006 |
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