Oxycodone - Oral

Oxycodone is a strong painkiller. It helps relieve moderate to severe pain which can't be relieved by other pain medications.

Take Oxycodone exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether you should take this medicine with or without food. Different preparations of this medicine may be taken differently.

This medicine is available as a conventional tablet or capsule, orodispersible tablet, modified-release tablet, and as oral solution.

If you are taking the modified-release tablet, swallow it whole. Do not divide, chew or crush the tablet.

If you are taking the oral solution, use the measuring device (e.g. oral syringe, cup) provided to measure your dose.

If you are taking the orodispersible tablet, follow these steps:

1. Remove it from the foil only just before you take it. Do not leave the orodispersible tablet exposed to air. Do not push the orodispersible tablet through the foil as it is fragile and easily broken.
2. Remove the orodispersible tablet with dry hands by peeling the backing off the foil and tipping the tablet onto your dry hands.
3. Place the orodispersible tablet directly on your tongue as soon as it is taken out of the foil. The orodispersible tablet will immediately start to melt on the tongue. It can then be swallowed with or without water.

Do not cut, break, or crush the orodispersible tablet.

The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the severity of your condition and your response to the medication.

Alert your doctor if Oxycodone does not seem to help control your pain. Do not stop taking it suddenly as this may worsen your condition.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• severe respiratory depression (slow or ineffective breathing)
• severe long-term lung disease
• acute or severe asthma
• high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood
• cor pulmonale (a heart problem that occurs after a long-term lung disease)
• irregular or abnormal heartbeat
• known or suspected paralytic ileus (bowel obstruction caused by slow movement or paralysis of the intestines)
• long-term constipation
• moderate to severe liver disease

as this medicine may not be suitable for you.

Do not take Oxycodone if you are currently taking or have taken a medicine that is used to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• allergies to other similar painkillers e.g. hydrocodone, codeine
• other lung or breathing problems
• delirium tremens or alcohol withdrawal delirium (severe tremors, hallucination, and disorientation caused by withdrawal from alcohol)
• mood disorders
• mental health conditions e.g. anxiety disorders, depression
• head injuries
• increased pressure in the brain
• impaired consciousness
• history of fits or seizure
• sleep apnoea (sleep disorder that causes interrupted breathing during sleep)
• biliary tract (group of organs that manage or process bile in the body) disorder including inflammation of the pancreas
• inflammatory bowel disease (group of diseases that cause long-term inflammation of the digestive tract)
• prostate enlargement
• Addison's disease (a rare disorder where the adrenal glands produce insufficient amounts of certain hormones)
• thyroid problems e.g. hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)
• hypovolaemia (low volume of circulating fluids in the body)
• low blood pressure
• heart and blood vessels problems
• recent heart attack
• history of drug abuse or alcoholism
• obesity
• kidney disease
• mild liver disease

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Oxycodone to a child, the elderly or debilitated individual (physically or mentally weak, usually due to illness or old age). They may be more sensitive to the side effects.

Avoid long-term use of any painkillers.

Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.

• Routine tests (e.g. bowel or lung function) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
• Your blood pressure may fall to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly during treatment.
• Regular monitoring of heart rate, pain relief, mental status, and signs and symptoms of substance abuse, misuse, or addiction may also be needed.

Oxycodone may cause drowsiness or dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.

This medicine may cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.

Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, indigestion, dry mouth, decreased appetite, tiredness, weakness, rashes, and itching.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• slow, shallow, or trouble breathing
• fits or seizures
• severe constipation or abdominal pain
• excessive sleepiness, severe dizziness or passing out
• new or worsening pain
• unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed or agitated)
• hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not existent)
• excessive sweating, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, restlessness, tremors, fast or irregular heartbeat

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Do not take Oxycodone if you are currently taking or have taken a medicine that is used to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• other strong painkillers e.g. codeine, morphine, buprenorphine
• medicines for mood disorders
• medicines for anxiety
• other medicines to treat depression e.g. amitriptyline, clomipramine, imipramine
• medicines for HIV infection e.g. ritonavir, saquinavir
• certain antibiotics e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin
• medicines used to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, voriconazole
• medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin
• medicines used to relieve muscle spasms e.g. metaxalone, cyclobenzaprine
• rifampicin (medicine to treat TB, an infection known as tuberculosis)
• St. John's wort (herbal medicine)

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Oxycodone.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol. Alcohol intake may worsen the dizziness and drowsiness caused by Oxycodone.

Avoid excessive consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (more than 1 litre a day).

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Protect from light and moisture.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.