Oxycodone Side Effects

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Oxycodone is an oral narcotic medication prescribed for moderate to severe pain. It may be used as a combination medicine with acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen.^[1] There are several potential oxycodone side effects including gastrointestinal symptoms, fast or slow heartbeat, hallucinations, confusion, and dizziness. Some of these side effects may be serious. Constipation is a common problem. Oxycodone can be habit-forming, and the potential for addiction can increase if the drug is not taken exactly as directed.^[2]

Contents 1 Common Oxycodone Side Effects 2 About Drug Side Effects 3 Oxycodone Allergic Reactions 4 Oxycodone Addiction 5 Oxycodone Precautions and Warnings 6 Pain Medications and Safety 7 References

Common Oxycodone Side Effects

Common side effects of oxycodone can include dry mouth, upset stomach, throwing up, changes in bowel regularity, headache, dizzy feelings, lightheadedness, weakness, and excessive tiredness.

Severe oxycodone side effects, which may require medical attention, include passing out, confusion, difficulty urinating, changes in heartbeat, slowed or difficult breathing, seizures, fainting, and seeing or hearing things that are not actually there.^[2]

Other side effects may also occur with oxycodone. Consumers who experience bothersome reactions to oxycodone have the opportunity to report them to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by calling their MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program at 1-800-332-1088 or by using their online form.^[2]

About Drug Side Effects

Oxycodone Allergic Reactions

Patients who are allergic to oxycodone or to similar drugs like codeine or hydrocodone may have allergic reactions to this drug that range from mild to severe. Patients may also react to other drugs included in oxycodone preparations, such as acetaminophen.^[2]

Symptoms of an allergic reaction which may require medical attention include:

• rash on the skin
• itching or swelling on or near the face and throat
• severe dizziness
• slowed or difficult breathing^[12]

Oxycodone Addiction

Oxycodone is a Schedule II Controlled Substance, defined as a substance which has "a high potential for abuse which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence."^[13] Addiction and dependence are not the same thing. Addiction is characterized by compulsive use, continued use despite harm, and craving. Physical dependence is the inability to stop taking a medication without withdrawal symptoms.^[14]

Symptoms of oxycodone addiction include:

• Feeling a need to use oxycodone regularly
• Maintaining a supply of oxycodone
• Stealing or lying to obtain oxycodone
• Crushing pills and taking them orally, or by snorting or injection^{[15] [16]}

Patients with a physical dependence who suddenly stop taking oxycodone may experience withdrawal symptoms.^[2] These symptoms may include sweating, chills, aches or pains, irritability, anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fast heartbeat, and fast breathing, among others. To avoid this, doctors may decrease the dose gradually.^{[1] [17]}

Oxycodone Precautions and Warnings

Pregnant women are typically advised not to take oxycodone. Newborn infants exposed to oxycodone before birth may experience withdrawal symptoms. Because oxycodone is released into breast milk, breastfeeding mothers are advised not to use oxycodone. ^[18]

Over time, oxycodone may become less effective against pain and the dose may need to be increased.^{[1] [17]}

Oxycodone may interact with several drugs, including antidepressants, antihistamines, medications for mental illness or seizures, other pain medications, and sleeping pills or tranquilizers, among others.^{[1] [19]}

Patients taking a combination of oxycodone plus an analgesic like acetaminophen may need to take additional steps to prevent liver damage. These may include restricting alcohol intake and using caution when taking other medications containing acetaminophen.^[1]

Oxycodone can impair the ability to drive a car or perform other functions requiring high levels of alertness.^[18]

Pain Medications and Safety

Also See: Prescription Drugs, Drug Side Effects, Controlled Substances and Illegal Drugs, Patient Assistance Programs, Drugs and Pregnancy, Morphine Coupons, Morphine Side Effects, Oxycodone Coupons, Oxycontin Patient Assistance Programs, Oxycontin Side Effects, Suboxone, Suboxone Side Effects, Suboxone Patient Assistance Programs, Percocet Side Effects, Vicodin Side Effects,

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000589/
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682132.html
3. ↑ http://www.purduepharma.com/Products/Prescription/Pages/default.aspx
4. ↑ http://www.xanodyne.com/products-marketed.asp
5. ↑ http://www.endo.com/healthcare/products/percocet.html
6. ↑ http://www.endo.com/pdf/products/Endocet_5-325.pdf
7. ↑ http://bidocs.boehringer-ingelheim.com/BIWebAccess/ViewServlet.ser?docBase=renetnt&folderPath=/Prescribing+Information/PIs/Roxane/Roxicet/Roxicet+Tablets.pdf
8. ↑ http://www.endo.com/pdf/products/percodan_pack_insert.pdf
9. ↑ http://www.frx.com/products/combunox.aspx
10. ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/oxycodone/article.htm
11. ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682132.html#side-effects
12. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-5278-OXYCODONE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=1025&drugname=oxycodone+oral#sideeffects
13. ↑ http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/index.html
14. ↑ http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/163/11/2014-a
15. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-addiction/DS00183/DSECTION=symptoms
16. ↑ http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/painmed.html
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1} http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-5278-OXYCODONE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=1025&drugname=oxycodone+oral#warnings
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1} http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-5278-OXYCODONE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=1025&drugname=oxycodone+oral
19. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-5278-OXYCODONE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=1025&drugname=oxycodone+oral#interactions