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oxycodone sustained-action - oral, Oxycontin

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GENERIC NAME: OXYCODONE SUSTAINED-ACTION - ORAL (ox-ee-KOH-doan)

BRAND NAME(S): Oxycontin

Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

WARNING: This medication is a strong narcotic pain reliever similar to morphine.

This medication is used to treat moderate to severe pain that is expected to last for a long period of time. It should be used on a regular schedule as prescribed by your doctor, not on an as-needed basis.

You should use the 60 milligram, 80 milligram, or 160 milligram tablets only if you have been taking moderate to large amounts of a potent narcotic medication (such as morphine). Use of these high-strength tablets by someone who is not regularly taking narcotic medications can cause serious (possibly fatal) breathing problems (such as very slow and shallow breathing).

Swallow the tablets whole. Broken, chewed or crushed tablets may release large (possibly life-threatening) amounts of medication into your body.

USES: This drug is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain (such as cancer pain). This medication acts on certain parts of the brain to relieve pain. This medication is a long-acting narcotic pain reliever (opiate-type).This medication should not be used for mild pain which will go away in a few days, or for prevention of pain after surgery. If you have not been on this medication before surgery, you should not use it for short-term pain in the first 12 to 24 hours after surgery.

HOW TO USE: See also Warning section.Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking this drug and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.Take this medication by mouth only, usually twice daily (every 12 hours) or as directed by your doctor. Swallow this medication whole. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets. Take this drug either always with food, or always on an empty stomach (one hour before or two hours after a meal). If you have nausea, you may take this drug with food. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to decrease nausea (such as taking antihistamines, lying down for 1 to 2 hours with as little head movement as possible).The dosage is based on your medical condition, use of other pain medications, and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.You may take immediate-release narcotic pain medications for short-term pain if so directed by your doctor. Also follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instruction for the safe use of non-narcotic pain relievers (such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen).If you have been using other long-acting narcotic pain medications or narcotic patches regularly, check with your doctor or pharmacist because they may need to be discontinued before starting this medication. If you are currently using a narcotic patch (such as fentanyl), its effects may continue after removal. Ask your doctor or pharmacist when it is safe to start taking this medication (usually 18 hours after removing the patch).If this medication has been taken regularly for a long time or in high doses, withdrawal symptoms (such as runny nose, irritability, trouble sleeping, sweating, stomach cramps, diarrhea) may occur if you suddenly stop taking this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.When this medication is taken for a long time, it may not work as well. Your doctor may need to increase your dose or change your medication. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.Along with its benefits, this medication may rarely cause abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction). This risk may be increased if you have abused alcohol or drugs in the past. Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lessen the risk of addiction.Tell your doctor if your pain persists or worsens.

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