OxyContin, an opioid pain medication, is sometimes called a Narcotic.
When you need an opioid medicine to manage severe pain, OxyContin can be used. It is used when non-opioid pain medications or immediate-release opioid drugs do not work well or are too harsh.
OxyContin should not be used for pain that isn’t urgent.
Warnings
If you have severe asthma, breathing problems or a blockage of your stomach or intestines, OxyContin should be avoided.
OXYCONTIN MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTIONS, OVERDOSE, AND DEATH. Make sure you keep the medication where it is not accessible by others.
Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening for newborns if taken during pregnancy.
OxyContin can cause fatal side effects if it is taken with alcohol or other drugs that slow down your breathing or cause drowsiness.
Before you take this medicine
OxyContin should not be used if you are allergic or have had an adverse reaction to oxycodone.
severe asthma, or other breathing problems
A blockage in your stomach, intestines or stomach.
If you’re already taking an opioid medication similar to OxyContin and are able to tolerate it, OxyContin should be avoided.
A child under 11 years of age should not receive OxyContin.
Tell your doctor about any previous medication you’ve taken to ensure this medicine is safe.
Sleep apnea, breathing problems
A head injury or seizures
Addiction to drugs or alcohol, and mental illness
Liver or kidney disease
Problems with urination;
Problems with your thyroid, gallbladder, and pancreas.
Your baby may become dependent on OxyContin if you take the drug while you’re pregnant. After the baby is born, this can lead to withdrawal symptoms that can be life-threatening. For several weeks, babies who are dependent on opioids might need medical treatment.
If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking oxycodone. If you notice a nursing baby experiencing severe drowsiness, or slow breathing, tell your doctor.
What should I do with OxyContin?
OxyContin should be taken exactly as directed. Follow all instructions on your prescription label. Read all medication guides. Do not take oxycodone for any longer than is prescribed. If you feel the need to take more oxycodone, talk to your doctor.
Do not share opioid medication with anyone, especially if they have a history of drug abuse. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Make sure you keep the medication where it is not accessible by others. It is illegal to sell or give away opioid medication.
You can stop taking any other opioid pain medications around the clock when you switch to extended-release OxyContin.
To avoid a potentially fatal overdose, swallow the whole extened-release tablet. Do not crush, chew or break the tablet.
Do not crush, break or chew an OxyContin tablet. This could lead to death.
OxyContin should not be stopped abruptly. Follow the instructions of your doctor about how to reduce your dosage.
Keep your medicine at room temperature away from light, heat, moisture and light. Keep track of the medicine. You should know if someone is using your Oxycodone without a prescription or in an unsafe manner.
Remaining opioid medication should be thrown out. Inadvertently or improperly using this medication can lead to death. Ask your pharmacist for information about drug disposal programs. You can flush any medicine that is not being used down the drain if there isn’t one.
What happens if I miss a dose of medication?
You are unlikely to miss a dose of OxyContin because it is prescribed for pain. If it is near time for the next dose, skip any missed dose. You should not take two doses at once.
What happens if I take too much?
Call the Poison Helpline at 1-800-222-1222 if you need immediate medical attention. A fatal overdose of oxycodone can occur in children and other people who are not prescribed the medication. You may experience severe drowsiness or pinpoint pupils, slow breathing, and even death from an overdose.
Naloxone is a medication that reverses an opioid overdose. Your doctor may recommend that you obtain it and keep it with your at all times. If you are unable to breathe or wake up, a caregiver can administer the naloxone. While you wait for emergency medical assistance, your caregiver will need to administer CPR (cardiopulmonary reperfusion) to you.
Did you know? At Pain Med UK you can buy OxyContin 80mg UK
Naloxone can be purchased at any pharmacy or health department. You should ensure that anyone caring for you is aware of where and how to use naloxone.
What should I avoid when using OxyContin
Avoid alcohol. You could get dangerous side effects, or even death.
Do not drive or operate machinery until you are aware of the effects of oxycodone. Falls and other accidents can be caused by dizziness or severe somnolence.
Avoid medication errors. Make sure you verify the strength and brand of the oxycodone that you receive from your pharmacy.
OxyContin side effects
If you experience symptoms such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling, redness, or swelling, seek emergency medical attention.
Opioid medication can cause breathing problems and even death. If you experience slow breathing, blue-colored lips, difficulty waking up, or slow breathing, a person who is caring for you should administer naloxone.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
Breathing that stops in sleep, such as sighing, noisy breathing or shallow breathing;
A slow heart beat or a weak pulse.
A lightheaded feeling that you feel like you are going to pass out.
confusion, unusual thoughts, or behavior
seizure (convulsions);
Low levels of cortisol can cause nausea, vomiting, weight loss, dizziness, worsening tiredness, or weakness.
High levels of serotonin can cause agitation, hallucinations and fever, sweating profusely, fever, sweating excessively, rapid heart beat, muscle stiffness, muscle twitching, coordination problems, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
Older adults, those with wasting syndrome, chronic breathing problems, and debilitated may have more serious breathing problems.
Opioid medication can cause fertility problems (inability to have children) for long-term users. It is unknown if opioids have a permanent effect on fertility.
Side effects of OxyContin may include:
drowsiness, headache, dizziness, tiredness; or
constipation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting.
These are not all side effects. Other side effects may also occur. For medical advice regarding side effects, consult your doctor.
What other drugs can affect OxyContin
If you stop or start taking certain medications, you may experience breathing difficulties or withdrawal symptoms. If you are also taking an antifungal, antifungal, heart, blood pressure, seizure, or medication to treat HIV/hepatitis C, tell your doctor.
Opioid medication may interact with other drugs, causing dangerous side effects and even death. Make sure you tell your doctor if you use any other opioid medications.
Cold or allergy medications, bronchodilator asthma/COPD medication or a diuretic (“water pills”) are all options.
Medicines for motion sickness, irritable bladder syndrome, and overactive bladder
Other opioids: Prescription cough medicine and opioid pain medicine.
A sedative such as Valium – diazepam or alprazolam; lorazepam; Xanax; Klonopin, Versed and other medications.
Drugs that cause you to sleepy, or slow down your breathing. These drugs can be a sleeping pill or a muscle relaxer, or medicine to treat mood disorders and mental illnesses.
Drugs that alter the levels of serotonin in your body are called stimulants, which can also be used as medicine for depression, Parkinson’s Disease, migraine headaches or nausea.
This is not a complete list and there may be other drugs that interact with oxycodone. This includes prescription and over the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal remedies. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.