Immediate-release oxycodone, also known by its brand names Roxicodone and Oxaydo, is an opioid. It’s used to treat pain that isn’t relieved by non-opioid pain medications. Immediate-release oxycodone is available as tablets, capsules, and a liquid that are taken by mouth. Your prescriber will work with you to find the dosage for your individual needs, but it’s typically taken every 4 to 6 hours as needed for your pain. Common side effects include making you constipated, sleepy, and dizzy. Oxycodone is a controlled substance because it has a high risk of misuse and dependence.
What is Oxycodone?
What is Oxycodone used for?
- Pain that isn’t relieved by non-opioid pain medications alone
How Oxycodone works
Oxycodone is an opioid. It attaches to certain mu-opioid receptors in your brain to lower how much pain you feel.
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Are you looking for information on oxycodone extended-release (OxyContin), Xtampza ER (oxycodone), or Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) instead?
When does Oxycodone start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
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Initial effect
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Drug Facts
Common BrandsRoxicodone, Oxaydo
Drug ClassOpioid
Controlled Substance ClassificationSchedule II
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
More on Oxycodone essentials
Oxycodone vs. Percocet: 3 Differences You Should Know
Tramadol vs. Oxycodone: 6 Differences You Should Know
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What are the risks and warnings for Oxycodone?
Oxycodone can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Potential for addiction and misuse
- Risk factors: Personal or family history of alcohol or substance use disorder | Personal or family history of mental health problems
Oxycodone is a controlled substance that has a risk for misuse and addiction. Take the medication exactly as prescribed. Don’t change how much or how often you take it without talking to your prescriber first.
Misusing oxycodone can raise the risk for serious and possibly life-threatening side effects, such as dangerously slow breathing, not able to stay awake, addiction, and opioid overdose. You’ll be prescribed the lowest amount of oxycodone that’s necessary to manage your pain for the shortest period of time possible.
Because of the risk for misuse and addiction, oxycodone is only available through a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program called the Opioid Analgesic REMS program. Your prescriber and pharmacy must register with the program, receive training on proper medication use, and discuss with you about how to take oxycodone safely.
Dangerously slow breathing (respiratory depression)
- Risk factors: Taking medications that can cause slow breathing | Drinking alcohol | Older age | Being frail | Medical conditions that cause breathing problems (e.g., COPD, asthma, head injury) | Taking too much oxycodone
Oxycodone can cause dangerously slow breathing, which can be life-threatening. This can happen to anyone and at recommended doses. But the risk is greatest when you first start treatment or when your dose goes up.
Don’t drink alcohol while you’re taking oxycodone. Also don’t take oxycodone with medications that slow your body down (e.g., benzodiazepines, other opioids, muscle relaxants). This can put you at risk for having dangerously slow breathing.
Your prescriber will recommend that you have naloxone (Narcan) to carry with you at all times. Naloxone is a medication that can reverse slowed breathing from opioids. Use naloxone, call 911, and get medical help right away if you or your loved one notices that you have trouble breathing or have bluish-colored lips, fingers, or toes.
Risk for opioid overdose
- Risk factors: History of opioid use disorder | Previous opioid overdose | Taking high doses of oxycodone | Taking more opioids than prescribed | Alcohol use
Take oxycodone exactly as prescribed. Taking too much medication or taking it more often than prescribed can lead to an overdose. It can be very dangerous if someone accidentally swallows the medication. Be sure to keep oxycodone out of reach from children, pets, and visitors to prevent accidental exposure or overdose.
Symptoms of an opioid overdose include not responding to sound or touch, extremely slow breathing, slow heartbeat, extreme sleepiness, and cold or clammy skin. Be sure you and your loved ones know how to recognize an overdose. Your prescriber will recommend getting naloxone (Narcan) — either by prescription or over the counter. Naloxone can help treat an opioid overdose. Carry naloxone with you at all times; use it and call 911 right away if an overdose happens.
Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness
- Risk factors: Taking high doses of oxycodone | Age 65 years or older | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications that can cause sleepiness
Oxycodone can cause extreme sleepiness and lower your ability to think, react, and focus. Don’t drink alcohol with oxycodone. Also don’t take oxycodone with other medications that can cause sleepiness or “brain fog” (e.g., benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, sleep medications). Otherwise, these side effects might worsen.
Make sure you know how oxycodone affects you before driving a car or doing activities that require your concentration. Talk to your prescriber right away if you feel too sleepy from the medication.
Drug interactions
Oxycodone interacts with several medications. Let your care team know what medications you’re taking to make sure they’re safe for you to take together. Also speak with your care team first before making any changes to your medications because sudden dose adjustments can be harmful.
Some medications can raise the level of oxycodone in your body, which can raise your risk for serious side effects like potentially life-threatening slowed breathing. Medications that can lead to this type of interaction include erythromycin and ritonavir (Norvir), among others.
Other interactions, such as with rifampin (Rifadin) or carbamazepine (Tegretol), can lower the levels of oxycodone in your body. This can cause the opioid medication to work less well to manage your pain. These interactions might also lead to withdrawal symptoms.
Harm to newborn babies
Long-term use of oxycodone during pregnancy can cause your unborn baby to become dependent on the medication. This is because oxycodone can pass through the placenta to your unborn baby.
Once your baby is born, they can experience withdrawal symptoms, such as high-pitched crying, poor feeding behavior, trembling, abnormal sleep patterns, and even seizures. This condition is called neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and can be life-threatening if not recognized and treated in time. Let your healthcare professional (HCP) know if you’ve taken oxycodone during pregnancy or if you notice these symptoms in your baby.
Physical dependence and withdrawal
- Risk factors: Long-term use of oxycodone
If taken regularly for a long time, oxycodone can cause physical dependence. This means that your body relies on the medication to function. And you might experience withdrawal if you lower your dose too quickly or suddenly stop taking the medication. Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, restlessness, irritability, runny nose, yawning, sweating, and chills.
Don’t suddenly lower your dose or stop taking oxycodone suddenly without talking to your prescriber first. If needed, your prescriber will slowly lower your dose over time to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Talk to an HCP if you have concerns about taking oxycodone because of the risk for withdrawal.
Low blood pressure
Oxycodone can cause extremely low blood pressure. For example, your blood pressure might suddenly drop when you stand from a sitting or lying down position. This can lead to dizziness and fainting. To avoid falling, get up slowly if you’ve been sitting or lying down. Talk to an HCP if dizziness or lightheadedness doesn’t go away.
Low adrenal hormone levels
- Risk factors: Taking oxycodone for longer than 1 month
Some people taking opioid medications like oxycodone have had low adrenal hormone levels. This might be more likely to happen after taking opioids for longer than 1 month. Tell your HCP if you have symptoms of low adrenal hormone levels, such as tiredness, dizziness, weakness, not feeling hungry, nausea, and vomiting. If your adrenal hormone levels are too low, you might need to stop oxycodone and get treated with corticosteroids.
Seizures
- Risk factors: History of seizure conditions
If you’ve had a seizure in the past, oxycodone can raise the risk of having seizures more often. Opioids can also raise your risk of seizures in certain situations. Get medical help immediately if you have a seizure while you’re taking oxycodone.
What are the side effects of Oxycodone?
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Itching
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Sleepiness
- Trouble sleeping
Other Side Effects
- Stomach pain
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
Serious Side Effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Dangerously slow breathing: trouble breathing; bluish-colored lips, fingers, or toes
- Accidentally taking too much (overdose): not responding to sound or touch, slowed breathing, slow heartbeat, extreme sleepiness, cold or clammy skin
- Opioid withdrawal: anxiety, suicidal thoughts, restlessness, irritability, runny nose, yawning, sweating, chills, wide pupils
- Serious allergic reaction: itchy, red rash (hives); shortness of breath; chest tightness; swelling of lips, tongue, throat, face, or eyes