Oxycodone Hydrochloride Oral tablet Health Article

Generic name(s):

Oxycodone Hydrochloride Oral tablet

Brand name(s):

Dazidox, ETH-Oxydose, Endocodone, OxyContin, OxyIR, Oxycodone Hydrochloride, Oxycodone Hydrochloride ER, Oxyfast, Percolone, Roxicodone, Roxicodone Intensol

What is this medicine?

OXYCODONE (ox i KOE done) is a pain reliever. It is used to treat constant pain that lasts for more than a few days. It is used by people who have been taking an opioid or narcotic pain medicine.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Addison's disease
• brain tumor
• drug abuse or addiction
• head injury
• heart disease
• if you frequently drink alcohol-containing drinks
• kidney disease or problems going to the bathroom
• liver disease
• lung disease, asthma, or breathing problems
• mental problems
• 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 use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablets. Do not take a tablet that is not whole. A broken or crushed tablet can be very dangerous. You may get too much medicine. If the medicine upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk. However, only take the 160 mg strength tablets with water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take the medicine at the same time each day. Do not take more than you are told to take.

A patient information sheet for the product will be given with each prescription and refill. Read this sheet carefully each time. The sheet may change frequently.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

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 may interact with this medicine?

• alcohol or medicines that contain alcohol
• antihistamines
• medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
• medicines for pain including pentazocine, buprenorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, tramadol, and propoxyphene
• medicines for sleep
• muscle relaxants
• naltrexone
• phenobarbital
• rifampin

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your pain does not go away, if it gets worse, or if you have new or a different type of pain. You may develop tolerance to the medicine. Tolerance means that you will need a higher dose of the medication for pain relief. Tolerance is normal and is expected if you take this medicine for a long time.

Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine because you may develop a severe reaction. Your body becomes used to the medicine. This does NOT mean you are addicted. 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. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.

You may get drowsy or dizzy when you first start taking the medicine or change doses. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that may be dangerous until you know how the medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly.

This medicine will cause constipation. Try to have a bowel movement at least every 2 to 3 days. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your doctor or health care professional.

You may see empty tablets in your stool. Do not worry. The medicine is in your body.

Your mouth may get dry. Drinking water, chewing sugarless gum, or sucking on hard candy may help. See your dentist every 6 months.