OxyContin

(oxycodone)

In this factsheet:

• How does OxyContin work? What will it do for me?
• How should I use OxyContin?
• What form(s) does OxyContin come in?
• Who should NOT take OxyContin?
• What side effects are possible with OxyContin?
• Are there any other precautions or warnings for OxyContin?
• What other drugs could interact with OxyContin?

DIN (Drug Identification Number)

How does OxyContin work? What will it do for me?

Oxycodone belongs to a group of medications known as opioids analgesics (narcotic pain relievers). It is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It decreases pain by working on the central nervous system.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than the ones listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

How should I use OxyContin?

The dose of oxycodone varies widely depending on the cause and severity of pain, individual medical history, and body weight.

This medication is available in controlled-release tablets, immediate-release tablets, and suppositories.

For people who are not taking opioid pain medications when oxycodone is started, the usual starting dose of controlled-release tablets is 10 mg or 20 mg every 12 hours. For immediate-release tablets and suppositories, the usual starting adult dose is 5 mg or 10 mg every 6 hours, if necessary. Your doctor can adjust your dose until a dose that controls your pain with tolerable side effects is reached.

For people who are currently taking other opioid pain medications when oxycodone is started, the recommended starting dose will depend of the type and dose of opioid that is currently being taken. Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose for you.

Oxycodone should be taken with a glass of water.

The controlled-release tablets should be swallowed whole and should not be broken, chewed, dissolved, or crushed. You may notice what appears to be a tablet in your stool. This is normal and occurs because the tablet does not completely dissolve after all the medication has been released in the body.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from moisture, and keep it out of reach of children.

This medication is available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms listed here. The forms available for the specific brand you have searched are listed under "What form(s) does this medication come in?"

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

What form(s) does OxyContin come in?

5 mg
Each round, unscored, pale blue, biconvex tablet, imprinted with "CDN" on one side and the mg strength on the other, contains oxycodone HCl 5 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose, magnesium stearate, polymethyl acrylate, povidone, stearyl alcohol, talc, and triacetin; film coating: opadry blue: FD&C Blue No. 1, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide.

10 mg
Each round, unscored, white, biconvex, controlled release tablet, imprinted with "CDN" on one side and the mg strength on the other, contains oxycodone HCl 10 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose, magnesium stearate, polymethyl acrylate, povidone, stearyl alcohol, talc, and triacetin; film coating: Opadry White: hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide.

15 mg
Each round, unscored, grey, biconvex, controlled release tablet, imprinted with "CDN" on one side and the mg strength on the other, contains oxycodone HCl 15 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose, magnesium stearate, polymethyl acrylate, povidone, stearyl alcohol, talc, and triacetin; film coating: opadry grey: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, iron oxide, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide.

20 mg
Each round, unscored, pink, biconvex, controlled release tablet, imprinted with "CDN" on one side and the mg strength on the other, contains oxycodone HCl 20 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose, magnesium stearate, polymethyl acrylate, povidone, stearyl alcohol, talc, and triacetin; film coating: opadry pink: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, iron oxide, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, and titanium dioxide.

30 mg
Each round, unscored, brown, biconvex, controlled release tablet, imprinted with "CDN" on one side and the mg strength on the other, contains oxycodone HCl 30 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose, magnesium stearate, polymethyl acrylate, povidone, stearyl alcohol, talc, and triacetin; film coating: opadry brown: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, iron oxide, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, and titanium dioxide.

40 mg
Each round, unscored, yellow, biconvex, controlled release tablet, imprinted with "CDN" on one side and the mg strength on the other, contains oxycodone HCl 40 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose, magnesium stearate, polymethyl acrylate, povidone, stearyl alcohol, talc, and triacetin; film coating: opadry yellow: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, iron oxide, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, and titanium dioxide.

60 mg
Each round, unscored, red, biconvex, controlled release tablet, imprinted with "CDN" on one side and the mg strength on the other contains oxycodone HCl 60 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose, magnesium stearate, polymethyl acrylate, povidone, stearyl alcohol, talc, and triacetin; film coating: opadry red: FD&C Red No. 40 Aluminum Lake, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, iron oxide, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, and titanium dioxide.

80 mg
Each round, unscored, green, biconvex, controlled release tablet, imprinted with "CDN" on one side and the mg strength on the other, contains oxycodone HCl 80 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose, magnesium stearate, polymethyl acrylate, povidone, stearyl alcohol, talc, and triacetin; film coating: opadry green: FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, iron oxide, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide.

Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.

Who should NOT take OxyContin?

Oxycodone should not be taken by anyone who:

• is allergic to oxycodone, other opioids (e.g., codeine, hydrocodone, morphine), or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• is taking or has taken (within the last 14 days) MAO inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine)
• has a head injury
• has a seizure disorder
• has acute alcoholism
• has acute asthma or other obstructive airway diseases (e.g., chronic bronchitis, emphysema)
• has cor pulmonale (heart failure caused by chronic high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs)
• has delirium tremens (e.g., confusion, diarrhea, shaking, fever, hallucinations, disorientation) associated with alcohol withdrawal
• has increased cerebral spinal fluid pressure
• has increased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood
• has kyphoscoliosis (a progressive disorder of the spine)
• has respiratory depression (slowed breathing)
• has severe central nervous system (CNS) depression (slowed nervous system)
• may have or has abdomen problems (e.g., paralytic ileus)

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