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OxyContin

Pronunciation: ox-e-KON-tin
Generic name: oxycodone
Dosage form: extended-release tablets (10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg)
Drug class: Opioids (narcotic analgesics)

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 9, 2024.

What is OxyContin?

OxyContin is an opioid (narcotic) pain medication used to relieve severe ongoing pain that is not controlled by other pain treatments. OxyContin contains oxycodone, a strong pain reliever that helps reduce pain by activating opioid receptors in the nervous system. OxyContin is an extended-release tablet that is taken every 12 hours regularly, it is not for occasional use or to be taken “as needed” for pain. As it is a long-acting opioid pain medicine it can put you at risk for overdose and death.

OxyContin can be prescribed for adult patients and patients 11 years and older who have severe persistent pain that requires long-term treatment with a daily opioid analgesic when alternative treatment options have not controlled the pain. OxyContin can only be prescribed for pediatric patients 11 years of age and older who are already taking and can tolerate a minimum daily opioid dose of at least 20 mg of oxycodone orally or its equivalent.

OxyContin has a risk of addiction, abuse, and misuse as an opioid (narcotic) medication, even if you take your dose correctly as prescribed. OxyContin (oxycodone) is a controlled substance Schedule II which means it has an accepted medical use but may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence and has abuse potential. When abused OxyContin may be called Hillbilly Heroin, Kicker, OC, Ox, Oxycotton, Roxy, Perc, and Oxy.

Warnings

Overdose. Get emergency help or call 911 right away if you take too much OxyContin (overdose). When you first start taking this medicine, when your dose is changed, or if you take too much (overdose), serious or life-threatening breathing problems that can lead to death may occur. Talk to your healthcare provider about naloxone, a medicine for the emergency treatment of an opioid overdose.

You should not use OxyContin if you have severe asthma or breathing problems, or a blockage in your stomach or intestines.

MISUSE OF OXYCONTIN CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

Taking oxycodone during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

Taking OxyContin with other opioid medicines, benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants (including street drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma, and death.

Using OxyContin with medicines that are CYP3A4 inhibitors or discontinuation of CYP3A4 inducers can result in a fatal overdose of oxycodone.

Never share this medicine. Never give anyone else your OxyContin. They could die from taking it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

Safe storage. Store tablets securely, out of sight and reach of children, and in a location not accessible by others, including visitors to the home.

OxyContin side effects

Common OxyContin side effects include drowsiness, headache, dizziness, tiredness, constipation, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Serious OxyContin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to OxyContin with symptoms of hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should give naloxone and/or seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue-colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

Serious breathing problems may be more likely in older adults and in those who are debilitated or have wasting syndrome or chronic breathing disorders.

Long-term use of opioid medication may affect fertility (ability to have children) in men or women. It is not known whether opioid effects on fertility are permanent.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use OxyContin if you are allergic to oxycodone, or if you have:

You should not use OxyContin unless you are already using a similar opioid medicine and are tolerant to it.

OxyContin should not be given to a child younger than 11 years old.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Tell your healthcare provider if you are living in a household where there are small children or someone who has abused street or prescription drugs, taking prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements. Taking OxyContin with certain other medicines can cause serious side effects that could lead to death.

If you use OxyContin while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on opioids may need medical treatment for several weeks.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, as this medicine may harm your baby. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with OxyContin.

How should I use OxyContin?

Take OxyContin exactly as prescribed. Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Never use oxycodone in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Call your healthcare provider if the dose you are taking does not control your pain.

Take your prescribed dose every 12 hours at the same time every day. Do not take more than your prescribed dose in 12 hours. If you miss a dose, take your next dose at your usual time.

Oxycontin should be taken 1 tablet at a time. Do not pre-soak, lick, or wet the tablet before placing it in your mouth to avoid choking on the tablet.

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal overdose. Do not crush, chew, break, or dissolve.

Never crush or break an OxyContin tablet to inhale the powder or mix it into a liquid to inject the drug into your vein. This can result in death.

You should not stop using OxyContin suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

Never share opioid medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away opioid medicine is against the law.

Store at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep track of your medicine. Oxycodone is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine 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.

gabapentin, acetaminophen, tramadol, cyclobenzaprine, naproxen, oxycodone, Tylenol, Cymbalta

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since OxyContin 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.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An oxycodone overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, slow breathing, or no breathing.

Your doctor may recommend you get naloxone (a medicine to reverse an opioid overdose) and keep it with you at all times. A person caring for you can give the naloxone if you stop breathing or don't wake up. Your caregiver must still get emergency medical help and may need to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on you while waiting for help to arrive.

Anyone can buy naloxone from a pharmacy or local health department. Make sure any person caring for you knows where you keep naloxone and how to use it.

What should I avoid while using OxyContin?

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how oxycodone will affect you. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls or other accidents.

Avoid medication errors. Always check the brand and strength of oxycodone you get from the pharmacy.

What other drugs will affect OxyContin?

You may have breathing problems or withdrawal symptoms if you start or stop taking certain other medicines. Tell your doctor if you also use an antibiotic, antifungal medication, heart or blood pressure medication, seizure medication, or medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C. Using OxyContin with medicines that are CYP3A4 inhibitors or discontinuation of CYP3A4 inducers can result in a fatal overdose of oxycodone.

Opioid medication can interact with many other drugs and cause dangerous side effects or death. Be sure your doctor knows if you also use:

This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with oxycodone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Does OxyContin interact with my other drugs?

Enter medications to view a detailed interaction report using our Drug Interaction Checker.

Storage

Store at 25°C (77°F)

Because of the risks associated with accidental ingestion, misuse, and abuse, OxyContin should be stored securely, out of sight and reach of children, and in a location not accessible by others, including visitors to the home. Leaving OxyContin unsecured can pose a deadly risk to others in the home.

Ingredients

Active Ingredient: oxycodone hydrochloride

Inactive ingredients (10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg and 80 mg tablets) butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), hypromellose, polyethylene glycol 400, polyethylene oxide, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide.

Other inactive ingredients in specific tablets

10 mg tablets also contain hydroxypropyl cellulose.

15 mg tablets also contain black iron oxide, yellow iron oxide, and red iron oxide.

20 mg tablets also contain polysorbate 80 and red iron oxide.

30 mg tablets also contain polysorbate 80, red iron oxide, yellow iron oxide, and black iron oxide.

40 mg tablets also contain polysorbate 80 and yellow iron oxide.

60 mg tablets also contain polysorbate 80, red iron oxide and black iron oxide.

80 mg tablets also contain hydroxypropyl cellulose, yellow iron oxide and FD&C Blue #2/Indigo Carmine Aluminum Lake.

Manufacturer

Manufactured by: Purdue Pharma L.P., Stamford, CT 06901-3431,

Popular FAQ

Which drugs cause opioid-induced constipation?

Any drug that is classified as an "opioid" can cause constipation. Examples of commonly prescribed opioids that may cause this side effect include morphine, tramadol, fentanyl, methadone, hydrocodone, codeine and oxycodone. Continue reading

Oxycodone vs OxyContin - What's the difference?

Oxycodone (also known as Oxy IR) and Oxycontin both contain oxycodone, but the main difference is that Oxycontin is the brand name of a long-acting form of oxycodone. Oxycontin releases oxycodone slowly and continuously over 12 hours and only needs to be given twice a day. Oxycodone is shorter-acting, with an average half-life of 3.2 hours, which means that half the dose of oxycodone is eliminated in 3.2 hours, which is why it is usually given four to six times a day to provide all-day pain relief. Oxycodone is usually given for acute pain, such as that following surgery or trauma, whereas Oxycontin may be given for chronic or long-term pain, such as that caused by cancer. Oxycontin should only be considered in those with chronic severe pain that have already found a trial of oxycodone to be beneficial. Continue reading

How long does oxycodone take to work?

Immediate-release oxycodone starts to work quickly, within 10 to 30 minutes, but it may take up to 1 hour for it to be fully absorbed, and the full effects reached. Food can delay how quickly oxycodone takes to work, but not how much is absorbed. Continue reading

What are the withdrawal symptoms of oxycodone?

Withdrawal from oxycodone is likely to happen to people who have taken oxycodone consistently or misused oxycodone. Common symptoms of withdrawal include:

  • Anxiety
  • Cravings for oxycodone – these are one of the main symptoms that drive relapse
  • Diarrhea
  • Fast heartbeat
  • High blood pressure
  • Muscle aches
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sleep disturbances/Insomnia
  • Stomach cramps
  • Sweating.
Continue reading
How long does oxycodone stay in your system?

Immediate-release oxycodone has a half-life of just under 4 hours which means the pain-relieving effects of one dose will be gone within 6 to 24 hours, but it can remain detectable in saliva, urine, and hair for much longer. In saliva, oxycodone is detectable within minutes of taking it and lasts for up to 48 hours (2 days). Oxycodone is detectable in urine within 1 to 3 hours and will stay detectable for 1 to 4 days. Like most other opioids, oxycodone is detectable in hair for up to 90 days. Continue reading

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.