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Oxycontin Drug Center

Medical Editor: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Oxycontin (oxycodone hydrochloride) is an opioid drug used for the management of moderate to severe pain, usually for an extended time period; it is not an "as needed for pain (PRN) drug." Oxycontin is available as a generic drug named oxycodone hydrochloride. The most frequent minor side effects of Oxycontin include GI symptoms of constipation, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms including somnolence (sleepiness), dizziness, itching, headache, dry mouth, sweating, and decreases in the ability to feel pain.

Oxycontin (oxycodone hydrochloride) is available as controlled-release tablets in strengths of 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, and 160 mg tablets (60 mg and above used only for opioid tolerant patients). The tablets must be swallowed whole because broken or chewed tablets release the drug too rapidly and because Oxycontin is rapidly adsorbed, too concentrated levels will be present in the body which can lead to death. Serious adverse reactions which may occur with Oxycontin are similar to those observed with other opioid analgesics; they include respiratory depression, apnea (stopped breathing), respiratory arrest, circulatory depression, hypotension (low blood pressure), shock, and death. This opioid is often the drug of choice for addictive use and can easily lead to dependency. Some patients may develop tolerance for Oxycontin and need to be slowly weaned off the drug. Safety has not been established in children under age 18; caution or avoidance is suggested in pregnant and breastfeeding women as infants can be born with opioid tolerance and depressed respirations. In addition, low concentrations of Oxycontin have been found in breast milk.

Our Oxycontin Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information as well as related drugs, user reviews, supplements, and diseases, and conditions