Oxycodone 80mg acts as an opioid. Opioids include any drug that targets opioid receptors in the brain, encompassing both natural and synthetic substances derived from or related to the opium poppy. Opiates, a subset of opioids, come specifically from the opium poppy plant and are not synthetic.
People use oxycodone to relieve severe pain. In Australia, oxycodone is classified as a Schedule 8 drug, meaning authorities tightly control it and require a prescription. Some individuals misuse oxycodone to achieve a ‘high’.
Uses
Oxycodone relieves moderate to severe pain by changing how your brain processes and responds to pain. It belongs to a class of drugs called opioid analgesics, which act on your body to alter pain sensations.
How is Oxycodone taken orally?
Read the Medication Guide your pharmacist provides. Do this before you start taking oxycodone and with each refill. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Take this medication by mouth according to your doctor’s directions. You can take it with or without food. If nausea occurs, taking the medication with food may help. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for additional methods to reduce nausea, such as lying down for 1 to 2 hours and minimizing head movement.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist permits it. Grapefruit can increase the risk of side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
If you use the liquid form of this medication, measure the dose carefully with a special measuring device or spoon. Do not use a household spoon, as it may not provide the correct dose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you need help with measuring the dose.
Your doctor determines your dosage based on your condition and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or use it longer than prescribed. Stop the medication only as directed.
Use pain medications at the first sign of pain for best results. Delaying use can reduce effectiveness.
For ongoing pain, like cancer, your doctor might prescribe long-acting opioids in addition to this medication. Use this medication for sudden (breakthrough) pain only as needed. Your doctor might also prescribe other pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Ask how to safely combine oxycodone with other drugs.
Avoid stopping this medication abruptly, as it can cause withdrawal, especially after long-term or high-dose use. Your doctor may gradually reduce your dose to prevent withdrawal. Inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you experience withdrawal symptoms like restlessness, mood changes (including anxiety, sleep issues, or suicidal thoughts), watery eyes, runny nose, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, muscle aches, or sudden behavior changes.
If you use this medication for a long time, it may lose effectiveness. Talk to your doctor if it stops working well.
This medication can cause addiction, especially if you have a substance use disorder. To reduce the risk of addiction, take the medication exactly as prescribed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Notify your doctor if your pain does not improve, worsens, or if you experience new pain.
Side Effects
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur. These side effects might decrease after using the medication for a while. Inform your doctor or pharmacist if any side effects last or worsen.
Prevent constipation by eating dietary fiber, drinking enough water, and exercising. You may need to take a laxative. Ask your pharmacist which type is suitable for you.
Reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness by rising slowly from a sitting or lying position.
Remember your doctor prescribed this medication because they judged the benefits outweigh the risks of side effects. Many people experience no serious side effects.
Inform your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects, including:
Interrupted breathing during sleep (sleep apnea)
Mental or mood changes (such as agitation, confusion, hallucinations)
Severe stomach or abdominal pain
Difficulty urinating
Signs of adrenal gland issues (such as loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, weight loss)
Seek medical help right away for very serious side effects, including:
Fainting
Seizure
Slow or shallow breathing
Severe drowsiness or difficulty waking up
Get medical help immediately if you notice symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, such as:
Rash
Itching or swelling (especially of the face, tongue, or throat)
Severe dizziness
Severe dizziness
Trouble breathing
Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any other effects not listed above.
Warning
Oxycodone carries a risk of abuse and addiction, which can lead to overdose and death. It may also cause severe, potentially fatal breathing problems. To lower your risk, your doctor will prescribe the smallest effective dose for the shortest time possible. Check the How to Use section for more details on addiction.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you should keep naloxone available to treat an opioid overdose. Teach your family or household members about the signs of an overdose and how to treat it.
Monitor the risk of severe breathing problems, especially when you start the medication, after a dose increase, or if you take the incorrect dose or strength. Avoid mixing this medication with alcohol or other drugs that cause drowsiness or breathing issues, as this may lead to serious side effects, including death.
Understand how other medications can affect the removal of oxycodone from your body and its effectiveness. Check the Drug Interactions section for more information. Seek medical help immediately if you experience slow or shallow breathing, unusual lightheadedness, severe drowsiness or dizziness, or difficulty waking up.
Store this medication safely to prevent theft, misuse, or abuse. Get medical help right away if someone accidentally swallows this drug.
Women of childbearing age should discuss the risks and benefits with their doctor before using this medication. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Use the medication during pregnancy only when needed.
Take the smallest effective dose for the shortest time to reduce the risk of birth defects and harm to the unborn baby. Babies born to mothers who use this drug long-term may suffer severe withdrawal symptoms.
Notify the doctor immediately if you notice symptoms in your newborn, such as persistent crying, slow or shallow breathing, irritability, shaking, vomiting, diarrhea, poor feeding, or difficulty gaining weight.
Precautions
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to oxycodone, or other opioid pain relievers (like oxymorphone), or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients that could cause allergic reactions or other problems. Consult your pharmacist for more details.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history before using this medication. Mention any brain disorders (like head injury, tumor, or seizures), breathing problems (such as asthma, sleep apnea, or COPD), kidney disease, liver disease, mental or mood disorders (such as confusion or depression), personal or family history of substance use disorders (like drug or alcohol addiction), stomach or intestinal problems (such as blockage or constipation), difficulty urinating (like due to an enlarged prostate), gallbladder disease, or pancreatitis.
Be aware that this drug may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Alcohol or marijuana can increase these effects. Avoid driving, using machinery, or doing anything requiring alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages and talk to your doctor if you use marijuana.
Tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before having surgery.
Check liquid products for sugar, aspartame, or alcohol. Exercise caution if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, liver disease, phenylketonuria (PKU), or any condition requiring you to limit these substances. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to use the product safely.
Older adults may experience increased sensitivity to this drug’s side effects, such as confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, and slow or shallow breathing.
Use this medication during pregnancy only when necessary. It may harm an unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. (See the Warning section for more details.)
This drug passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Notify your doctor immediately if your baby shows unusual sleepiness, difficulty feeding, or trouble breathing. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Overdose
Discuss with your doctor the need to keep a rescue medication called naloxone readily available (e.g., at home or the office). Naloxone reverses the life-threatening effects of an overdose by blocking the effects of opiates.
Ask your doctor to prescribe naloxone if you live with small children or someone who has a history of drug abuse.
Ensure that you, your family members, caregivers, or anyone who spends time with you know how to recognize an overdose, use naloxone, and what to do until emergency help arrives. Have your doctor or pharmacist show you and your family members how to use naloxone. Ask your pharmacist for instructions or visit the manufacturer’s website for details.
If an overdose occurs, a caregiver or family member should administer the first dose of naloxone. Give additional doses every 2 to 3 minutes if symptoms return before help arrives.
Watch for symptoms of an overdose, which may include:
Difficulty breathing
Slowed or shallow breathing
Excessive sleepiness
Limp or weak muscles
Narrowing or widening of the pupils
Cold, clammy skin
Inability to respond or wake up
Slowed heartbeat
Unusual snoring