What is this medication for?

This medication is used to treat severe pain. It belongs to a class of drug known as opioids.

There are different oxycodone preparations which are taken by mouth.

They include:

Oxycodone capsules

Oxycodone prolonged release tablets

Oxycodone oral solution

Oxycodone is sometimes given with another medication called Naloxone to reduce or prevent some of the side effects associated with it. This includes preparations such as Targin^® prolonged release tablets.

How should I take/use this medication?

• Take your medication as prescribed by your healthcare professional.

• Oxycodone preparations are taken with or after food.

• Oxycodone with Naloxone (Targin^®) can be taken with or without food.

• The ability of this medication to help with pain may reduce with time. If you find that the medication does not sufficiently help to relieve your pain at the prescribed dose, please consult your healthcare professional.

• Prolonged release tablets should be swallowed whole. Do not chew, break, crush or dissolve before swallowing.

• Oral solutions should be measured out using a medication spoon or syringe to ensure accuracy.

• Never share this medication with others. Oxycodone is a strong painkiller and should only be used under medical supervision.

What should I do if I forget to take/use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose. Do not take more than told by your doctor.

What precautions should I take?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication. This includes a history of allergy to other related medications such as opioids (for example, Morphine, Fentanyl and Codeine).

• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.

• You have a history of fits. This drug may increase the risk of having a fit.

• You have a history of constipation or obstructive bowel disease.

• You have a history of lung disease including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

What are some common side-effects of this medication?

Common side effects of oxycodone include:

• Nausea and/or vomiting.

  • If you develop a feeling of wanting to throw up (this should normally wear off after a few days) your doctor can prescribe an anti-sickness medicine if it continues to be a problem.

• Drowsiness and impaired judgement and/or coordination. This is most likely when you start taking this medication or when the dose is increased but it should wear off after a few days .

  • Do not drive, operate machinery or perform tasks which require mental alertness.

• Constipation and abdominal discomfort.

  • Your doctor can prescribe a laxative to overcome this problem.

• Dry mouth.

• This medication has the potential to cause addiction.

  • If you experience difficulty stopping this medication when it is no longer required, or find yourself using more than the recommended dose or for reasons other than prescribed, please consult your healthcare professional.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

If you experience any of the following, you should stop your medication and seek immediate medical attention.

• Symptoms of drug allergy including one or more of the following: Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue, difficulty in breathing, itchy skin rashes over your whole body.

• Breathing difficulty including shallow or slow breathing. Abdominal problems like persistent constipation and/or abdominal pain.

• A drop in blood pressure resulting in fainting, dizziness or light-headedness and/or blurred vision.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take this medication?

• Oxycodone can generally be taken with most other foods or medications. However, please inform your healthcare professionals if you are taking other medications or herbal preparations.

• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol may increase the risk of side effects with this medication.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How should I throw away this medication safely?

Do not discard unwanted medication with household trash. Any unused/leftover/expired Oxycodone should be returned to the pharmacy for safe disposal.

Disclaimers

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on Jun 2022