About Oxycodone
Oxycodone is a synthetic drug that belongs to the class of opioid medicines.
People usually refer to Oxycodone as a narcotic. It’s a highly effective way to reduce the strong pain.
There are 2 formulations of Oxycodone: immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (XR) tablets. The XR form is used as a part 24/7 treatment plan.
Safety precautions
Safety during treatment should be your first priority. Follow our instructions and listen to the doctor’s recommendations.
Oxycodone is not suitable for patients suffering from severe asthma, breathing issues, or blockage in the intestines/stomach.
Improper use of the drug may lead to severe effects, including addiction and death. Always store your medication in a place where no one can find it.
Pregnant women should also avoid Oxycodone because it leads to withdrawal symptoms in the baby.
Elderly patients and people with weak health may experience negative outcomes as well. Oxycodone may slow or stop their breathing.
Read this before your treatment
Oxycodone exists in several forms and can be sold under different brand names. They are not the same. It’s important to choose the best solution for yourself. For example, patients under 18 cannot be treated with plenty of variations. OxyContin (the most famous option) is not suitable for kids under 11.
Adults should think about their health as well. The drug may be dangerous for people who suffer from the following conditions:
- problems with breathing or urination;
- head injury, seizures;
- drug or alcohol addiction;
- lung, liver, or kidney disease;
- mental disorders;
- problems with your gallbladder or pancreas.
Opioids should not be prescribed during pregnancy because they affect the baby and make it dependent. As a result, the baby will be suffering from withdrawal symptoms since the first days of his life. It’s important to be cautious and tell the doctor about your plans to conceive.If you find out that you’re pregnant during your treatment, do not stop taking pills. Talk to your doctor and ask for safe ways to deal with this situation. There may be a significant reduction in Oxycodone dosage.
How to safely take Oxycodone?
Any successful treatment starts with following the doctor’s instructions. The information on the prescription label should be your guide. Don’t increase the daily intake of pills or their strength. Do not take medication for longer than necessary.
Oxycodone is taken with food.
Depending on the form, you may get a container with capsules or tablets. The key moment here is to swallow the drug as a whole. Don’t perform any actions with your medication – don’t split, crush, or open it.
Some patients find it extremely difficult to swallow the whole capsule. In this case it’s allowed to open it and add the medicine into your pudding or applesauce. The mixture should be swallowed at once (it’s better if you add the medicine into the spoon with your food).
Oxycodone is not the type of medication to stop taking abruptly. The dose should be gradually decreased before the end of the treatment.
What can NOT be taken with Oxycodone?
There are several things that must not be mixed with the medicine. Alcohol is one of them.
Until you get used to the drug and its effect on your body and brain, avoid the following activities: driving, using dangerous tools or machinery. In some cases, sleepiness and vertigo may lead to accidents.
Rarely, there may be a mistake in your medication. Double-check the medicine that you are going to take – the brand name, its form and strength.
Common side effects of Oxycodone
Opioid drugs are quite dangerous and any misuse can be fatal. You should always know what to do when something goes wrong. For example, a patient may stop breathing for a long time, have blue lips, or be hard to wake up. In these cases, get emergency medical help.
Don’t be alarmed: these severe signs may not appear at all. Elderly patients and people with chronic respiratory problems have the biggest risks of such side effects to occur.
If your treatment with Oxycodone lasts for a long time, it may affect your ability to conceive (both men and women are affected).
Some of the mildest side effects of Oxycodone include sleepiness, drowsiness, feeling tired, migraines, stomachache, sickness, constipation, or red eyes.
Oxycodone and other drugs
Certain medicines should be avoided during your treatment. Your doctor should know every detail of your medical history and current health state before prescribing any Oxycodone. It’s important to notify him if you use antibiotics, heart or blood pressure drugs, or any medication that deals with HIV, seizure, or hepatitis C.
Interaction of opioid drugs with other meds can be dangerous and even fatal. Tell your doctor if you take some of the following drugs:
- prescription cough medicine;
- sedative medications;
- sleeping pills;
- muscle relaxants or tranquilizers;
- medicine for mental disorders.
The list of the drugs that interact with Oxycodone in a negative way is much longer. It includes multiple prescription and OTC meds, herbs and some vitamins. Discuss the course of treatment with your doctor. Each case requires an individual approach.