What happens if you take oxycontin

Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medicine in a place where others cannot get to it.

Selling or giving away acetaminophen and oxycodone is against the law. Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device not a kitchen spoon. If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the doctor ahead of time that you are using this medicine. You should not stop using this medicine suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of your medicine.

You should be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription. Do not keep leftover opioid medication. Just one dose can cause death in someone using this medicine accidentally or improperly.

Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, flush the unused medicine down the toilet. Since this medicine is used for pain, you are not likely to miss a dose. Skip any missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at An overdose of acetaminophen and oxycodone can be fatal.

The first signs of an acetaminophen overdose include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, sweating, and confusion or weakness. Later symptoms may include pain in your upper stomach, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes. Overdose can also cause severe muscle weakness, pinpoint pupils, very slow breathing, extreme drowsiness, or coma. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you. To unsubscribe at any time click the link in our mailing or email: unsubscribe camh.

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Sign Up. Thanks for Subscribing. Tell your doctor if you take recreational drugs while you're taking oxycodone. Page last reviewed: 17 October Next review due: 17 October Oxycodone On this page About oxycodone Key facts Who can and cannot take oxycodone How and when to take it Taking oxycodone with other painkillers Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About oxycodone Oxycodone is an opiate painkiller. Oxycodone is also known by the brand names Oxynorm and OxyContin. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? Oxycodone works by stopping pain signals travelling along the nerves to the brain. Oxycodone liquid and capsules work in 30 to 60 minutes but wear off after 4 to 6 hours.

It's possible to become addicted to oxycodone, but your doctor will explain how to reduce the risks of becoming addicted. If you need to take oxycodone for more than a few weeks, your treatment plan may include details of how and when to stop taking this medicine. The most common side effects of oxycodone are constipation, feeling sick and feeling sleepy. Oxycodone can be taken by adults and children aged 1 month and older. Tell your doctor before starting this medicine if you: have ever had an allergic reaction to oxycodone or any other medicine have lung problems, asthma or breathing difficulties have an addiction to alcohol have a head injury or condition which causes seizures or fits have an underactive thyroid gland hypothyroidism have kidney or liver problems have an enlarged prostate have low blood pressure hypotension have a mental health condition which is affected by certain medicines have had recent stomach surgery or bowel problems are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or if you're breastfeeding.

Oxycodone comes as: capsules — these contain 5mg, 10mg or 20mg of oxycodone slow-release tablets — these contain 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 60mg, 80mg or mg of oxycodone liquid — this contains 5mg of oxycodone in 5ml or 10mg of oxycodone in 1ml of liquid. Important Do not break, crush, chew or suck oxycodone slow-release tablets. How often will I take it? How often you take it depends on the type of oxycodone that you've been prescribed: capsules — usually 4 to 6 times a day slow-release tablets — usually 1 to 2 times a day liquid — usually 4 to 6 times a day You can take oxycodone at any time of day, but try to take it at the same time every day and space your doses evenly.

Will my dose go up or down? What if I forget to take it? This will depend on which type of oxycodone you're taking.

Never take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten one. What if I take too much? Urgent advice: Call now if:. Go to Where to store oxycodone If you're prescribed oxycodone, it's really important that you: store it properly and safely at home keep it out of the sight and reach of children do not give your medicine to anyone else return any unused oxycodone to a pharmacy so it can be thrown away safely.

Common side effects Common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away: constipation feeling or being sick nausea or vomiting stomach discomfort feeling sleepy or tired feeling dizzy and a sensation of spinning vertigo confusion headaches itchiness or rash Serious side effects Serious side effects happen in less than 1 in people.

Call a doctor if you have: muscle stiffness feel dizzy, tired and have low energy — this could be a sign of low blood pressure hypotension. Immediate action required: Call if:.

Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to oxycodone. Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: constipation — try to include more high-fibre foods in your diet such as fruits, vegetables and cereals. Try to drink several glasses of water each day. If you can, it may also help to do some gentle exercise.

Ask your doctor about medicine to help prevent or treat constipation caused by oxycodone. Ensure the tablets or capsules are swallowed whole with a glass of water. This side effect should usually wear off after a few days.

Talk to a doctor about taking anti-sickness medicine if it carries on for longer. Talk to a doctor if they carry on for longer. Your dose may need to be adjusted. It may be best not to drink alcohol while taking oxycodone as this can make headaches worse. It's safe to take an everyday painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Talk to a doctor if headaches last longer than a week or are severe.

Check with the pharmacist to see what type is suitable for you. If symptoms do not go away or they get worse, talk to a doctor as you may need to try a different painkiller. Oxycodone and breastfeeding Oxycodone is not usually recommended if you're breastfeeding. While taking oxycodone, discuss with your healthcare provider your pain treatment goals, length of treatment, and other ways to manage your pain.

Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family drinks or has ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, uses or has ever used street drugs, or has overused prescription medications, or has had an overdose, or if you have or have ever had depression or another mental illness. There is a greater risk that you will overuse oxycodone if you have or have ever had any of these conditions.

Talk to your healthcare provider immediately and ask for guidance if you think that you have an opioid addiction or call the U. Oxycodone may cause serious or life-threatening breathing problems, especially during the first 24 to 72 hours of your treatment and any time your dose is increased. Your doctor will monitor you carefully during your treatment. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had slowed breathing or asthma. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take oxycodone.

Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD; a group of diseases that affect the lungs and airways , a head injury a brain tumor, or any condition that increases the amount of pressure in your brain.

The risk that you will develop breathing problems may be higher if you are an older adult or are weak or malnourished due to disease. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment: slowed breathing, long pauses between breaths, or shortness of breath. Taking certain other medications with oxycodone may increase the risk of serious or life-threatening breathing problems, sedation, or coma.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or plan to take any of the following medications: certain antibiotics such as clarithromycin Biaxin, in PrevPac and erythromycin Erytab, Erythrocin ; certain antifungal medications including itraconazole Onmel, Sporanox , ketoconazole Nizoral , and voriconazole Vfend ; benzodiazepines such as alprazolam Xanax , chlordiazepoxide Librium , clonazepam Klonopin , diazepam Diastat, Valium , estazolam, flurazepam, lorazepam Ativan , oxazepam, temazepam Restoril , and triazolam Halcion ; carbamazepine Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol, Teril ; medications for mental illness, nausea or pain; muscle relaxants; certain medications for human immunodeficiency virus HIV including indinavir Crixivan , nelfinavir Viracept , and ritonavir Norvir, in Kaletra ; phenytoin Dilantin, Phenytek ; rifabutin Mycobutin , rifampin Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate ; sedatives; sleeping pills; or tranquilizers.

Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medication and will monitor you carefully. If you take oxycodone with any of these medications and you develop any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical care: unusual dizziness, lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slowed or difficult breathing, or unresponsiveness.

Be sure that your caregiver or family members know which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor or emergency medical care if you are unable to seek treatment on your own.

Drinking alcohol, taking prescription or nonprescription medications that contain alcohol, or using street drugs during your treatment with oxycodone increases the risk that you will experience serious, life-threatening side effects. Do not drink alcohol, take prescription or nonprescription medications that contain alcohol, or use street drugs during your treatment.

If you are taking the oxycodone extended-release tablets, swallow them whole; do not chew, break, divide, crush, or dissolve them. Do not presoak, lick or otherwise wet the tablet prior to placing in the mouth. Swallow each tablet right after you put it in your mouth. If you swallow broken, chewed, crushed, or dissolved extended-release tablets, you may receive too much oxycodone at once instead of slowly over 12 hours.

This may cause serious problems, including overdose and death. Oxycodone comes as a regular solution liquid and as a concentrated solution that contains more oxycodone in each milliliter of solution. Be sure that you know whether your doctor has prescribed the regular or concentrated solution and the dose in milliliters that your doctor has prescribed.

Use the dosing cup, oral syringe, or dropper provided with your medication to carefully measure the number of milliliters of solution that your doctor prescribed. Read the directions that come with your medication carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about how to measure your dose or how much medication you should take.

You may experience serious or life threatening side effects if you take an oxycodone solution with a different concentration or if you take a different amount of medication than prescribed by your doctor. Do not allow anyone else to take your medication. Oxycodone may harm or cause death to other people who take your medication, especially children.

Store oxycodone in a safe place so that no one else can take it accidentally or on purpose. Be especially careful to keep oxycodone out of the reach of children. Keep track of how many tablets or capsules, or how much liquid is left so you will know if any medication is missing. Dispose of unwanted capsules, tablets, extended-release tablets, extended-release capsules, and liquid properly according to instructions. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

If you take oxycodone regularly during your pregnancy, your baby may experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms after birth.