Sometimes the pain we experience is too severe to be controlled with a regular pill. Think about the extreme pain that comes after major surgery, a medical condition like cancer, or the pain that comes after a serious accident. In these cases, if you can't tolerate other painkillers or they don't control the pain, your doctor may decide to give you a stronger painkiller like Oxycodone. So let's talk about this in more depth today.
What is this Oxycodone?
Simply put, Oxycodone is a powerful painkiller . It belongs to a class of drugs called opioids. It works by blocking pain signals from reaching our brain. In other words, it blocks the pain signals from our body to our brain. That's why we can control even the most severe pain.
The most important thing is that this is not a medicine to take for a common headache or backache. It is a medicine to be used only for severe pain, under the supervision of a doctor .
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before prescribing this medication, it is essential that your doctor knows your complete health history. In particular, if you have any of the following conditions or habits, you should definitely tell them without holding back a word. This information will determine the dosage of the medication you will be given and whether the medication is right for you or not.
| Disease or condition | Why should I inform the doctor ? |
|---|---|
| Drug or alcohol addiction or a history of such | Because of the high risk of addiction to Oxycodone. |
| Lung disease, asthma, or other breathing problems | This medicine can be dangerous because it can slow breathing. |
| Kidney or liver disease | Because it can affect the process of removing the medicine from the body. |
| Head injury, brain tumor, or seizure | These conditions may worsen or increase side effects. |
| Mental illnesses | Some mental states can be affected. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are a breastfeeding mother | This must be communicated as the medicine may affect the child. |
| Hormonal problems, such as Addison's disease and thyroid problems | Oxycodone may interact with these conditions. |
| If you have taken an MAOI antidepressant (e.g. Parnate) in the past 14 days | This is prohibited because it can cause very dangerous reactions. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
This medicine comes in the form of a solution, so please remember these instructions carefully.
- Accurate measurement: You should measure the exact dose prescribed by your doctor. Use only the measuring cup, syringe, or dropper specifically provided for this purpose. Do not use teaspoons or soup spoons that you have in your kitchen. Because they cannot measure accurately, the dose may vary.
- With or without food: This medicine can be taken before or after food. However, if you experience stomach upset or nausea, it is best to take the medicine with some food.
- On time: Try to take your medicine at the same time every day.
- Don't stop suddenly: This is the most important thing. Don't stop taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to. If you stop suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. If you do stop, you should do so as per your doctor's instructions, gradually reducing the dose.
What if I miss a medication appointment?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, 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 to make up for a missed dose.
What if you take too much medicine (overdose)? This is life-threatening!
This is the most dangerous risk with this drug. Overdosing on Oxycodone can be fatal.
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, or someone in your family has taken too much, do not delay and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Symptoms of an overdose may include:
- Breathing is very slow or shallow.
- Unusual drowsiness, falling asleep to the point of being unable to wake up.
- Confusion, dizziness.
- Constriction of the eyelids.
In such a situation, being aware of the drug Naloxone can help save a life. Naloxone is an emergency treatment given to reverse an opioid overdose. If you are a long-term Oxycodone user, talk to your doctor about keeping Naloxone on hand.
Common side effects and dangerous symptoms
Like any medication, Oxycodone has side effects. Some are common, but some require immediate attention.
| Side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Slow breathing (CNS depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, excessive sleepiness, difficulty waking up. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Things that may occur normally, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Constipation | This is very common. If you are unable to go to the toilet for 3 days, tell your doctor. |
| Drowsiness and dizziness | Avoid driving or operating machinery while taking this medication. |
| Dry mouth | Chewing sugar-free gum and drinking more water can help. |
| Nausea, vomiting, headache | If these persist, talk to your doctor. |
How to keep medicine safe?
This is very important. Oxycodone is a drug that can be abused. So you need to think twice about safety.
- Keep away from children and pets.
- Keep it in a safe place where no one else can touch it, locked if possible.
- Never share this medicine with anyone else. This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Giving it to someone else is illegal and could endanger their life.
- Store at room temperature, away from light and moisture, with the bottle cap tightly closed.
- What to do with leftover, expired medications? Do not throw them in the trash or flush them down the toilet. Ask your doctor or the hospital where you received the medication for the correct disposal method.
Take-Home Message
- Oxycodone is a powerful drug that is only taken for severe pain, on the advice of a doctor.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any medical conditions you have.
- Do not drink alcohol for any reason while taking this medicine.
- Overdose is a life-threatening emergency. Be aware of the symptoms and go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- Keep the medicine in a safe place, out of the reach of children and others. Never share the medicine with others.
- Avoid stopping the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
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