Sometimes the pain we experience is so severe that ordinary painkillers cannot control it, right? Imagine, after a major operation , a disease like cancer, or a serious accident, the pain may be unbearable. In such cases, when other painkillers do not help or are intolerable, doctors prescribe a strong painkiller like Oxycodone.
What is this Oxycodone?
Oxycodone is a very strong painkiller . Simply put, it blocks pain signals from reaching your brain, reducing the sensation of pain. This medication belongs to a class of drugs called opioids. These are mainly used to control very severe pain.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Okay, now this is very important. Before your doctor prescribes this medicine, it is essential to know the complete details of your health condition. If you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
| Illness or other factors | Description |
|---|---|
| Brain-related problems | A brain tumor or head injury. |
| Addictions | If you have an addiction to drugs or other medications. |
| Diseases of internal organs | Kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, pancreatitis, or low adrenal gland function. |
| Respiratory system problems | Asthma, lung disease, or other breathing difficulties. |
| Other medical conditions | Seizures, stomach or intestinal problems. |
| Use of other medications | If you have taken an MAOI type medication (e.g. Marplan, Nardil) in the past 14 days. |
| Personal information | If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, are a breastfeeding mother, drink alcohol frequently, or have an allergic reaction to other medicines, foods, or dyes. |
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine with a glass of water. It is important to take it exactly as your doctor has told you to, at the right time . If you experience stomach upset, take it with a meal. Continue taking the medicine until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not break, crush, or chew some brand-name tablets. Also, avoid wetting or sucking the tablet before putting it in your mouth. Ask your doctor for special advice about this.
What to do if you take too much medicine? (Overdosage)
If you think you have taken too much medicine, don't delay . Go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of your nearest hospital immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . This could be a life-threatening emergency.
This medicine is for you only. Never share it with anyone else, not even a friend. Doing so is very dangerous and illegal.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
Oxycodone is a drug that can interact with many medications and other things, so it is extremely important to tell your doctor about everything you are taking.
Here are some of the main things that can cause problems with this medication:
- Alcohol:Avoid drinking alcohol while taking oxycodone. It can cause dangerous drowsiness and difficulty breathing.
- Some medications that cause drowsiness: Some medications for allergies, coughs, and colds.
- Mental health medications: Medications for depression, anxiety, or insomnia.
- Other strong painkillers: Other opioid painkillers or cough medicines.
- Other medications: Some medications given for conditions such as fungal infections, HIV infections, seizures, and Parkinson's disease.
- General Anesthetics: Anesthetics used for surgery.
This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about all the medicines you take (including vitamins and herbal products) . Also, don't forget to tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs.
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
Pain and tolerance
After using this medicine for a while, you may feel that the pain is no longer relieved by the previous dose. We call this tolerance . This is normal, don't worry. But you should tell your doctor about this. He or she will advise you on changing the dose or what to do.
Do not stop taking the medicine suddenly!
If you stop taking the medicine suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. This is because your body is getting used to the medicine. This is not an addiction. Addiction is when you use a medicine for a purpose other than a medical reason. You have a medical reason for taking the medicine because you are in pain. If your doctor tells you to stop taking the medicine, he will gradually reduce the dose.
Sleepiness and attention
You may feel drowsy or dizzy when taking this medicine. Therefore , avoid driving, operating machinery, and doing other tasks that require alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Avoid sitting or standing up quickly, especially if you are elderly.
Other important points
- Be aware of Naloxone: Naloxone is an emergency treatment for an oxycodone overdose. Talk to your doctor about it and find out how to get it and use it if needed. Also, make your family members aware of it.
- Constipation: Constipation is a common side effect of this medication. If you have not had a bowel movement for 3 days, talk to your doctor.
- Dry mouth: If your mouth is dry, you can get relief by chewing sugar-free gum and drinking more water.
Possible side effects of the medicine
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Central nervous system depression (CNS depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, excessive sleepiness, unconsciousness, confusion. |
| Decreased function of the adrenal glands | Vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, unusual weakness, dizziness. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, nausea, vomiting. | |
How should I store the medicine? How should I remove it?
Keep this medicine in a safe place out of reach of children and pets . This medicine can be misused, so it is important to keep it in a safe place to prevent theft. Expired or unused medicine should be disposed of. It can be fatal if it gets into the hands of other adults, children, or animals. Ask your doctor or hospital for advice on how to properly dispose of unused medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Oxycodone is a powerful medication that is only available on a doctor's prescription for severe pain.
- Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and other medications you are taking before taking this medication.
- Avoid driving and other activities that require alertness as this medication may cause drowsiness. Avoid alcohol completely.
- Avoid stopping the medication suddenly without medical advice.
- Always store the medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children and others.
- If you suspect an overdose, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 Oxycodone (Oxycodone / OxyContin, Roxicodone) is a pill used to treat what disease?
This is not like regular Panadol! This is the most powerful (Opioid / Narcotic) painkiller in the world that can relieve 100% of the unbearable 'Severe Pain' that comes after major surgery or bone fractures and cure the patient!
💬 How does this powerful drug (Oxycodone) reach our brain and instantly relieve severe pain?
This is like tricking the brain! When something in our body breaks, the nerves that scream carry the pain straight to the brain through the spinal cord. After taking this medicine, it goes straight to the brain (and spinal cord) and locks all the gates that control pain (Mu-opioid receptors) there! Then it gives the brain a false sense of 'happiness and comfort/euphoria', so that even if there is pain, the patient does not feel it at all.
💬 Is this medicine (Oxycodone / Opioids) addictive? What is the most dangerous risk (Black Box Warning)?
Yes! This is a highly addictive drug similar to Heroin! (Drug Abuse). And the most dangerous fatal danger of this is 'Respiratory depression'. If this pill is taken with alcohol/sleeping pills, or if the dose is even slightly increased, it will cause the patient's brain to spin and the patient will stop breathing completely and die like a stone!
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