Oxycodone

What is Oxycodone?

Oxycodone is an opioid pain medicine that is sometimes known as a drug called a narcotic. Oxycodone is used to treat moderate to extreme pain. The extended-release type of oxycodone can be used for continuous pain treatment. It is recommended to be used only on a need-to-know basis to treat pain.

Warnings

It is not recommended to use the drug oxycodone if you have serious asthma or breathing issues, or problems with the stomach or intestines. The misuse of opioids can lead to addiction, overdose, or even death. Keep the medication at a distance where others can't access it. Oxycodone taken during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms that can be life-threatening for the baby. Side effects that are fatal can be experienced if you take opioids in conjunction with alcohol or with other medications that can cause drowsiness or slow breathing. Oxycodone may reduce or stop breathing. This is more likely to occur in older or sick patients, but it can happen at any time for anyone taking this medication.

Before you Take This Drug

It is not recommended to use the drug oxycodone if you are allergic to it or suffer from:

• Extremely severe asthma or breathing issues.
• A blockage in your stomach or your intestines.

It is not recommended to use this medication if you are already taking an opioid similar to this one and are intolerant to it. Don't take this medication if you've taken any MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days, like isocarboxazid or linezolid, rasagiline, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine, or taken an injection of methylene blue. The majority of brands of oxycodone are not approved for use by children under 18 years old. OxyContin is not recommended to be administered to children less than 11 years old. To make sure that this medicine is appropriate for you, tell your physician if you've previously had:

• Breathing issues sleep apnea, breathing problems
• A head injury, brain tumor, or seizures;
• Addiction to alcohol or drugs or mental illness
• Lung disease;
• Kidney disease or liver failure;
• Thyroid disorder;
• The adrenal gland (such as Addison's disease).
• Problems with urination or
• Problems with your gallbladder and the pancreas.

If you take opioids when you are pregnant, your child could develop dependence on the medication. This can cause severe withdrawal symptoms for the newborn after it's born. Infants who are dependent on opioids could require medical attention for a few weeks.

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant prior to taking oxycodone. If you fall pregnant while using oxycodone, don't stop taking the medication abruptly without speaking with your physician. It may be necessary to reduce your dosage gradually. Consult a physician before taking oxycodone when you are nursing. Tell your doctor if you notice a sudden increase in sleepiness or a slow breathing rate during breastfeeding.

How to Take Oxycodone?

You should take oxycodone exactly as prescribed. Follow the instructions on your prescription label, and be sure to read the entire medication guide. Do not take this medication in greater amounts or for a longer period than what is prescribed. Inform your doctor if you have a strong urge to take more oxycodone.

Do not share your opioid medication with anyone else, particularly one who has a history of substance abuse or addiction. Misusing the medicine can result in addiction or even death. Place the medication in a safe place so that others are unable to access it. Offering or selling opioids is against the law.

Stop taking any other opioid pain medication once you begin taking extended-release oxycodone.

Take the tablet whole to prevent exposure to a fatal overdose. Don't crush, chew, break, split, open, or dissolve.

If you are unable to take a capsule in its entirety, open it and mix the medicine with a spoonful of applesauce or pudding. Drink the liquid immediately without chewing. Don't save the mixture to use at a later time.

Do not crush or break the oxycodone pills to inhale the powder or mix it with liquid for injection in your vein. It could cause the death of a person.

Take care when measuring liquid medicines. Use the dosing needle provided or a dosage-measuring device (not the kitchen spoon).

Do not stop using oxycodone abruptly. Follow the instructions of your physician on gradually reducing the dose.

Keep it at room temperature, far from heat, moisture, and light. Make sure you keep track of the medicine. Oxycodone can be a substance of abuse. You should be aware of anyone taking your medication improperly or without a prescription.

Don't keep any empty bottles of opioids. A single dose can cause death for someone who is using the medicine in error or unintentionally. Ask your pharmacist for a disposal program that takes back the drug. If there's no taking-back system, then flush any remaining medicine down the drain.

What Happens If I Miss the Dose?

Because oxycodone is a drug used to treat pain, you're less likely to skip the dose. Don't miss a dose in the event that it's almost time to take the next dose. Do not take two doses at once.

What Happens If I Overdose?

Get medical attention immediately or contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An oxycodone-related overdose could cause death, especially for children or any other user of the drug without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness and numbness of the pupils, slow breathing, or not breathing at all.

The doctor might suggest getting Naloxone (a medication to treat an overdose of opioids) and carrying it on hand throughout the day. Someone who cares for you could give you Naloxone if you cease breathing or don't regain consciousness. Your caregiver needs to get medical attention in the event of an emergency. They might need to administer CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to you as they wait for assistance to arrive.

You can purchase naloxone at the local pharmacy or health department. It is important that everyone who cares for you is aware of the location where you keep your naloxone and how to make use of it.

What Should be Avoided?

Don't drink or consume alcohol. Dangerous side effects or even death may occur. Do not drive or operate machinery until you understand what the effects of this medication will be on you. Dizziness or extreme drowsiness could result in falls or other accidents. Avoid medication errors. Always verify the strength and brand of the oxycodone that you purchase from your pharmacy.

Side Effects of Oxycodone

Contact a medical professional immediately. If you exhibit symptoms that you are experiencing an allergic reaction due to the drug oxycodone, such as hives, breathing problems, or swelling of your lips, face, and tongue,

Opioid medication, like oxycodone, may slow or stop breathing, and death could occur. Anyone who cares for you should administer Naloxone or seek medical attention if you experience prolonged breathing, pauses in your breathing, blue lips, or if it is difficult to get up.

Contact your doctor immediately. If you are suffering from:

• Loud breathing, sighing, deep breathing, sleeping that ceases;
• A low heart rate or a weak pulse
• Cold, clammy skin;
• An euphoric feeling, similar to passing out;
• The mind, or unusual thoughts or behaviors;
• Seizure (convulsions);
• Low levels of cortisol nausea nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness, or weakness
• Serotonin levels are extremely high within the body, which causes hallucinations, agitation, fever, sweating, shaking, rapid heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, and loss of coordination. vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.

Breathing problems that are serious could be more common among older adults and those with a debilitating condition, wasting syndrome, or chronic breathing conditions.

Long-term usage of opioids such as oxycodone could impact the quality of life (ability to have children) of women or men. It isn't known if the effects of opioids on fertility are permanent.

Common side effects of oxycodone include:

• Drowsiness, dizziness, and tiredness;
• Headache;
• Constipation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or
• Red eyes, or flushing.

This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and others could happen. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on adverse effects. You can report adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interaction with Other Drugs

There may be breathing issues or withdrawal symptoms if you take or stop using other medications. Inform your doctor if you are also taking any antibiotic or antifungal medication. blood pressure or heart medications, seizure medication, or medication for treating HIV as well as Hepatitis C.

Opioid medications may interact with other medications and cause deadly side effects or even death. Be sure your doctor is aware if you take:

• Other opioids: Pain medication for opioids and prescription medicine for cough
• Sedative drugs like alprazolam and Xanax, Clonazepam, Klonopin, Diazepam, Valium, or Lorazepam, Ativan, Temazepam, or Restoril, and many more;
• Sleeping pills for sleeping;
• The effects of tranquilizers or muscle relaxants;
• Medication for anxiety, depression, or any mental disorder;
• Medicine for Parkinson's disease
• Migraine treatment for headaches migraine headache treatment
• Drugs used to treat the symptoms of vomiting and nausea.
• Medications for allergies or colds, bronchodilator asthma/COPD medications, or diuretics ("water pills");
• Medicine to treat motion sickness, irritable bowel syndrome, or an overactive bladder.

The list below isn't exhaustive, and other medications may interfere with the drug oxycodone. This includes prescription as well as over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. There are many possible interactions between drugs, which are included here.