Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Oxycodone is a strong narcotic pain-reliever
and cough suppressant similar to morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone. The precise
mechanism of action is not known but may involve stimulation of opioid receptors
in the brain. Oxycodone does not eliminate the sensation of pain but decreases
discomfort by increasing tolerance to pain. In addition to tolerance to pain,
oxycodone also causes sedation and respiratory depression. The FDA approved
oxycodone in 1976.
STORAGE: Oxycodone should be stored between 15 to 30 C (59 to 86 F).
Open bottles of oral solution should be destroyed after 90 days.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Oxycodone is prescribed for the relief of moderate to
severe pain.
DOSING: The usual starting dose using immediate release oxycodone tablets is 5 to 30 mg every 4 hours. Patients who have never received opioids should start with 5-15 mg every 4 to 6 hours. Some patients may require 30 mg or more every 4 hours.
The usual starting dose using controlled release tablets is 10 mg every 12 hours. Controlled release tablets are used when around the clock treatment is required for an extended period of time. Controlled release tablets should not be broken, crushed or chewed but should be swallowed whole. Broken, crushed or chewed controlled release tablets may lead to rapid absorption of the drug and dangerous levels of oxycodone.
The 60, 80 and 160 mg tablets or single doses greater than 40 mg should only be used by patients who have been using opiods and have become tolerant to opioid therapy. Administration of large doses to opioid-naïve patients may lead to profound depression of breathing.
The usual adult dose of the oral concentrate solution (20 mg/ml) is 5 mg every 6 hours.
The usual adult dose for the oral concentrate solution (5 mg/ml) is 10-30 mg every 4 hours.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Oxycodone, like other narcotic pain-relievers,
increases the effect of drugs that slow brain function, such as alcohol,
barbiturates, skeletal muscle relaxants, for example,
carisoprodol (Soma),
cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), and
benzodiazepines, for example,
lorazepam (Ativan). Combined use of muscle relaxants and oxycodone
may lead to increased respiratory depression.
Since oxycodone causes constipation, the use of antidiarrheals,
for example,
diphenoxylate (Lomotil) and loperamide (Imodium), in persons taking oxycodone,
can lead to severe constipation.
Drugs which stimulate and also block opioid receptors (or example,
pentazocine,
nalbuphine [Nubain],
butorphanol [Stadol],
buprenorphine [Subutex]) may reduce the effect of
oxycodone and may precipitate withdrawal symptoms.
A fatty meal may increase the absorption of oxycodone by 27%.
PREGNANCY: Safety during
pregnancy has not been established. Children
born to mothers who were taking oxycodone for a prolonged period may exhibit
respiratory depression or withdrawal symptoms.
NURSING MOTHERS: Small amounts of oxycodone are secreted in
breast
milk and may cause side effects in the newborn.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most frequent side effects of oxycodone include
lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea,
vomiting, headache, rash,
constipation, dry mouth, and sweating.
Oxycodone can depress breathing, and is used with caution in elderly,
debilitated patients, and in patients with serious lung disease. Oxycodone can
impair thinking and the physical abilities required for driving or operating
machinery. Oxycodone is habit forming. Mental and physical dependence can occur
but are unlikely when used for short-term pain relief. If oxycodone is suddenly
withdrawn after prolonged use, symptoms of withdrawal may develop. The dose of
oxycodone should be gradually reduced in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Drug addiction is a chronic disease that causes drug-seeking behavior and drug use despite negative consequences to the user and those around him. Though the initial decision to use drugs is voluntary, changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person's self-control and ability to make the right decisions and increase the urge to take drugs. Drug abuse and addiction are preventable.
The anterior cruciate ligament helps to prevent the top and bottom of the knee from sliding back and forth. Symptoms and signs of a torn ACL include knee pain and swelling. Treatment of a torn ACL depends upon the health of the patient and the patient's expectations and willingness to undertake extensive physical therapy. Rehabilitation after surgical repair of an ACL tear may take more than nine months.
Chronic pain is pain (an unpleasant sense of discomfort) that persists or progresses over a long period of time. In contrast to acute pain that arises suddenly in response to a specific injury and is usually treatable, chronic pain persists over time and is often resistant to medical treatments.
Drugs commonly abused by teens include tobacco products, marijuana, cold medications, inhalants, depressants, stimulants, narcotics, hallucinogens, PCP, ketamine, Ecstasy, and anabolic steroids. Some of the symptoms and warning signs of teen drug abuse include reddened whites of eyes, paranoia, sleepiness, excessive happiness, seizures, memory loss, increased appetite, discolored fingertips, lips or teeth, and irritability. Treatment of drug addiction may involve a combination of medication, individual, and familial interventions.
The liver, located in the right upper portion of the abdominal cavity just
beneath the right side of the rib cage, has many vital functions. Briefly, some
of these functions are:
Detoxification of blood
Production of important clotting factor and other important proteins
Metabolizing (processing) medications and nutrients
Processing of waste products of hemoglobin
Storing of vitamins, fat, cholesterol, and bile
Production of glucose
What are common liver blood tests?
Liver blood tests are some of the most commonly performed blood tests. These tests can assess liver functions or liver injury. An initial step in detecting liver damage is a simple blood test to determine the presence of certain liver enzymes (proteins) in the blood. Under normal circumstances, these enzymes reside within the cells of the liv...
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