It is an opiate painkiller. It’s used to treat severe pain, for example after an operation or a serious injury, or pain from cancer. It’s also used for other types of long-standing pain when weaker painkillers, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, and aspirin, have not worked.

Principally it is only available on prescription. It comes as slow-release tablets, capsules, and a liquid that you swallow. It can also be given by injection, but this is usually done in the hospital.

Oxycodone is also known by the brand names Oxynorm and OxyContin. It’s sometimes given as a tablet which also has a medicine called naloxone in it (Targinact). This is used to prevent certain side effects, such as constipation. how long does oxycodone stay in your system

• It works by stopping pain signals traveling along the nerves to the brain.
• Both Oxycodone liquid and capsules work in 30 to 60 minutes but wear off after 4 to 6 hours.
• It’s possible to become addicted to oxycodone, but your doctor will explain how to reduce the risks of becoming addicted.
• If you need to take oxycodone for more than a few weeks, your treatment plan may include details of how and when to stop taking this medicine.
• The most common side effects of oxycodone are constipation, feeling sick, and feeling sleepy.

Oxycodone can be taken by adults and children aged 1 month and older.

Babies, young children, and older people are more likely to get side effects. how long does oxycodone stay in your system

Eventually, this medication is not suitable for some people. Tell your doctor before starting this medicine if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to oxycodone or any other medicine
• have lung problems, asthma, or breathing difficulties
• have an addiction to alcohol
• have a head injury or condition which causes seizures or fits
• have an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
• have kidney or liver problems
• have an enlarged prostate
• have low blood pressure (hypotension)
• have a mental health condition that is affected by certain medicines
• have had recent stomach surgery or bowel problems
• are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant, or if you’re breastfeeding

Follow your doctor’s instructions about how to use this medicine. This is particularly important because oxycodone can be addictive.

Take the pills with, or just after, a meal or snack as it’s less likely to make you feel sick.

It’s important to swallow slow-release oxycodone tablets whole with a drink of water. how long does oxycodone stay in your system

Avialable forms are:

• capsules – these contain 5mg, 10mg or 20mg of oxycodone
• slow-release tablets – these contain 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 60mg, 80mg or 120mg of oxycodone
• liquid – this contains 5mg of oxycodone in 5ml or 10mg of oxycodone in 1ml of liquid.

Both liquid, capsules, and injections work faster (fast-acting). They’re used for pain that is expected to last for a short time and is often used when you start taking oxycodone, to help find the right dose. how long does oxycodone stay in your system

The tablets are slow-release. This means the drug is gradually released into your body over either 12 or 24 hours. This type of pill takes longer to start working but lasts longer. It’s used for long-term pain.

Sometimes your doctor may prescribe both fast-acting and slow-release oxycodone to manage long-term pain.

How often will I take it?

• capsules – usually 4 to 6 times a day
• slow-release tablets – usually 1 to 2 times a day
• liquid – usually 4 to 6 times a day

You can take oxycodone at any time of day, but try to take it at the same time every day and space your doses evenly. For example, if you take it twice a day and have your first dose at 8 am, take your second dose at 8 pm.

Will my dose go up or down?

Usually, you start on a low dose, and later on, this increased gradually until your pain is well controlled. Once your pain is under control, your doctor may prescribe slow-release tablets. This may cut down the number of doses you have to take each day.

What if I forget to take it?

This will depend on which type of oxycodone you’re taking.

If you forget to take a dose, check the information that comes with the medicine or ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice.

Never take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask a pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember to take your medicine.

What if I take too much?

It’s important not to take more than your prescribed dose, even if you think it’s not enough to relieve your pain. Speak to your doctor first, if you think you need a different dose.

If you go to A&E, do not drive yourself – get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the oxycodone box or leaflet inside the packet plus any remaining medicine with you.

Where to store oxycodone

• store it properly and safely at home
• keep it out of the sight and reach of children
• do not give your medicine to anyone else

It’s safe to take oxycodone with paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin (do not give aspirin to children under 16 years of age).

Do not take oxycodone with painkillers that contain codeine. You will be more likely to get side effects.

Painkillers that contain codeine include co-codamol (codeine and paracetamol), Nurofen Plus (codeine and ibuprofen), co-codaprin (codeine and aspirin) and Solpadeine (codeine, paracetamol, ibuprofen and caffeine).

Like all medicines, oxycodone can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones.

The higher the dose of oxycodone the more chance that you will get side effects. how long does oxycodone stay in your system

oxycodone UK Common side effects

Common side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:

• constipation
• feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
• stomach discomfort
• feeling sleepy or tired
• feeling dizzy and a sensation of spinning (vertigo)
• confusion
• headaches
• itchiness or rash

Serious side effects

Serious side effects happen in less than 1 in 100 people. Call a doctor if you have:

• muscle stiffness
• feel dizzy, tired, and have low energy – this could be a sign of low blood pressure (hypotension)

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it’s possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to oxycodone.

These are not all the side effects of oxycodone. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

What to do about:

• constipation – try to include more high-fiber foods in your deitiesiets such as fruits, vegetables, and cereals. Try to drink several glasses of water each day. If you can, it may also help to do some gentle exercise. Ask your doctor about medicine to help prevent or treat constipation caused by oxycodone.
• stomach discomfort, feeling or being sick – take oxycodone with or just after a meal or snack to ease feelings of sickness. This side effect should usually wear off after a few days. Talk to a doctor about taking anti-sickness medicine if it carries on for longer.
• feeling sleepy, tired, or dizzy – these side effects should wear off within a week or two as your body gets used to oxycodone UK. Talk to a doctor if they carry on for longer.
• confusion – talk to a doctor if you feel confused.
• headaches – make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. It may be best not to drink alcohol while taking oxycodone as this can make headaches worse. It’s safe to take an everyday painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Talk to a doctor if headaches last longer than a week or are severe.
• itchiness or rash – it may help to take an antihistamine which you can buy from a pharmacy. Check with the pharmacist to see what type is suitable for you. If symptoms do not go away or they get worse, talk to a doctor as you may need to try a different painkiller.
• Do not take any other medicines to treat the side effects of oxycodone without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor first. how long does oxycodone stay in your system.

However, it’s important to treat pain during pregnancy. For some pregnant women with severe pain, oxycodone might be the right medicine. Your doctor is the best person to help you decide what’s right for you and your baby. This pill is not usually recommended if you’re breastfeeding. Small amounts of it may pass into breast milk and may cause breathing problems for your baby. Tell a doctor if you are breastfeeding. They may be able to recommend a different painkiller. how long does oxycodone stay in your system