What is oxycodone?
Oxycodone is an opioid pain medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic.
Oxycodone is used to treat moderate to severe pain. The extended-release form of this medication is for around-the-clock treatment of pain.
Oxycodone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about oxycodone?
Oxycodone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking oxycodone. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with a narcotic pain medicine. Check your food and medicine labels to be sure these products do not contain alcohol.
Never take oxycodone in larger amounts, or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how oxycodone will affect you.
Do not stop using oxycodone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using oxycodone.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using oxycodone?
Do not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a narcotic medicine (examples include methadone, morphine, Oxycontin, Darvocet, Percocet, Vicodin, Lortab, and many others), or to a narcotic cough medicine that contains codeine, hydrocodone, or dihydrocodeine.
You should also not take oxycodone if you are having an asthma attack or if you have a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.
Oxycodone may be habit forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share oxycodone with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.
To make sure you can safely take oxycodone, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
liver or kidney disease;
underactive thyroid;
trouble swallowing, or a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);
curvature of the spine;
a history of head injury or brain tumor;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
low blood pressure;
gallbladder disease;
Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders;
enlarged prostate, urination problems;
mental illness; or
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
FDA pregnancy category B. Oxycodone is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Oxycodone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using oxycodone.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medicine.