Get Informed: Oxycontin
Active Ingredient(s)
Oxycodone
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of moderate to severe pain. It is an opioid agonist, and works at different sites in the brain and body.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-21 11:09 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM
Other Names
- Oxycontin
- Oxycodone
- Roxicodone
- Oxycodone HCl
- Oxycodone HCl ER
- Oxycodone Hydrochloride
- Oxynorm
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- B
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to its risk of dependence, and the dangers of crushing, breaking or chewing tablets that are designed for slow release.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 12 Dec 1995
- Est US Patients*
- 2,650,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Oxycontin or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Oxycontin Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Oxycontin interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Oxycontin used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 17,600 patients that use Oxycontin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Back/Neck Pain | 56% | 
|
| Pain-Generalized | 44% | 
|
| Fibromyalgia | 16% |
|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 9% |
|
| Migraine/Headache | 8% |
|
| Other | 7% | 
|
How well does Oxycontin work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 17,600 users taking Oxycontin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 71%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Oxycontin outweigh the bad things.
- 20%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Oxycontin.
Common Side Effects of Oxycontin
iGuard regularly polls our more than 17,600 users taking Oxycontin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
68% of patients experience side-effects on Oxycontin
11% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Oxycontin
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Constipation
-
Drowsiness
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Itch/Rash
-
Memory/Speech Problems
-
Dryness
-
Fatigue
-
Withdrawal Problems
-
Insomnia
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Anxiety, Breathlessness, Dizziness, Erectile Problems, Heat Sensitivity, Increased Appetite, Loss of Libido, Mood/Behavior Changes, Palpitations, Rebound Headache, Sweating, Urinary Frequency, Urinary Retention, Vertigo
Global Patient Feedback for Oxycontin (Oxycodone) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I've had Chronic Pain for 20 yrs. ( from Fibromyalgia) and seen many doctors. NO doctors want to give you any meds for pain. If they only knew the amount of people that commit suicide because they can't deal with the pain, maybe they would change their mind about giving out pain meds. Well you people in pain, don't give up. You need to go to a Pain Clinic and if they don't help, then you go to another one until someone helps you. Most Pain Clinics deal with chronic pain patients and know how to help you. I thank god everyday that I found a pain doctor at a Pain Clinic that helped me. So don't give up. Good Luck.
46 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-13 16:05:11
Question/Comment:
(cont.) I don't think my neuro even believes me that I am in the amount of pain I am in. He switches around the amount of Lyrica I take but in the past, has acted like I am some sort of a junkie, bad person, who knows? He is a top Neuro in my area and I hate to look for someone else but this pain is killing me, literally. I feel suicidal because I exist sitting and I cannot DO anything. I get up to use the bathroom my body screams. I have *another* EMG on 2/9. I PRAY he can see my pain thenPray?
54 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-31 20:17:14
Answer/Reply:
I hear what yr saying about the tolerence issue. I have back, hip, and arm problems ontop of pancreas pain. I am on ten milligrams 4 times a day of the Oxycodoin and 15 milligrams of long acting opana. I have to no avail talked to my doc about upping my Oxy milligram and he won't do it. I'm in pain all the time and I can't get any change. I am 51 yrs old and all they worry about is addiction. I understand this But when you have as many issues as I do all I ask is for relief and no one seems to want to help.
Signed very frustrated!
51 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-02 12:05:38
Answer/Reply:
You should see a pain specialist, and/or a Psychologist. Tell them/him EXACTLY what you just wrote, and if you don't get a doseage which makes you comfortable, then see another. That is not right. My pharmacist's brother is a neurologist-takes 4-5 80 mg. OXY's/day. I take 2/day. No one should have to live like that - it is horrible, and you probably get grouchy and take it out on those around you. That is no kind of life. GOOD LUCK!
51 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-02 22:34:46
Question/Comment:
I am a 43 yr old female with chronic pain syndrome, severe Fibro w/NS presentation (MS symptoms but so far no lesions), anxiety disorder and too many other problems. The worst is the pain. I'm on 40 mg Oxycontin X2 day and it's a JOKE. I take so much Excedrin for migraines and the same pain my stomach hurts so much. I have all nut begged my Neuro to increase the Oxy because with this much pain I have no life - I exist. I have a husband, 2 kids at home (11&17) and I'm rasing my 2 yr old grandson.
54 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-31 20:13:20
Question/Comment:
I do not take the Oxycodone as many times a day as needed. I feel it works best if I take it only when I need that extra boost. That way I don't get dependent on it and I don't have to increase the dosage from building up a tolerance. It also helps if you stop taking your pain meds for a few days or a week or so. This way you can get the benefit from the medication without the problems of addiction or increased dosages.
57 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-28 11:17:54
Answer/Reply:
58 year old Female, I agree somewhat with the comment above. Following my 1st knee replacement, I was placed on oxycodone for pain during my recovery period. After a few weeks of physical therapy, I found I didn't need as many doses as immediately after surgery. I made sure I took a dose before PT so I could function during the rehab. Three months after the 1st knee replacement, I had my other knee replaced with strikingly different pain tolerance. The morphine pump used after surgery didn't begin to touch the pain. So a base level infusion of morphine was added to the pump delivery. The pain was so intense I was sent home on oxycodone. This was leaving me unable to get up & move around. So a base line oxycontin taken 2 times each day was added for better pain coverage and the oxycodone for break through pain. I was so concerned about possible addiction. My doctor assured me if I only added the oxycodone when I really needed it and not in anticipation of pain, I could remain in control of the addiction concern. Within a month, I almost completely eliminated the Oxycodone from my medication needs. Then I gradually started replacing the Oxycontin with a Oxycodone tablet until I no longer needed the Oxycontin on a daily basis. In time I found I could reduce the Oxy drugs to a morning & HS dose of Oxycodone. I don't remember when it happened but I noticed even the oxycodone was overkill and ask my doctor to move me back to the hydrocodone. He was amazed that I had removed myself from the Oxycontin & oxycodone without any signs of withdrawal. I may be a 1 in 1,000,000 patient who was able to do this on my own. Yes it was very tempting to rely on the medications for anticipated pain. However I discovered activity gradually increased over time allowed me to get control of the pain. It may not work for you but find something to do that keeps you & your mind busy. Then try to eliminate a single pill. It might just work for you! Prayer was probably the greatest
pain reliever of all.
59 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-17 16:47:31
Answer/Reply:
I agree somewhat with the comment above. Following my 1st knee replacement, I was placed on oxycodone for pain during my recovery period. After a few weeks of physical therapy, I found I didn't need as many doses as immediately after surgery. I made sure I took a dose before PT so I could function during the rehab. Three months after the 1st knee replacement, I had my other knee replaced with strikingly different pain tolerance. The morphine pump used after surgery didn't begin to touch the pain. So a base level infusion of morphine was added to the pump delivery. The pain was so intense I was sent home on oxycodone. This was leaving me unable to get up & move around. So a base line oxycontin taken 2 times each day was added for better pain coverage and the oxycodone for break through pain. I was so concerned about possible addiction. My doctor assured me if I only added the oxycodone when I really needed it and not in anticipation of pain, I could remain in control of the addiction concern. Within a month, I almost completely eliminated the Oxycodone from my medication needs. Then I gradually started replacing the Oxycontin with a Oxycodone tablet until I no longer needed the Oxycontin on a daily basis. In time I found I could reduce the Oxy drugs to a morning & HS dose of Oxycodone. I don't remember when it happened but I noticed even the oxycodone was overkill and ask my doctor to move me back to the hydrocodone. He was amazed that I had removed myself from the Oxycontin & oxycodone without any signs of withdrawal. I may be a 1 in 1,000,000 patient who was able to do this on my own. Yes it was very tempting to rely on the medications for anticipated pain. However I discovered activity gradually increased over time allowed me to get control of the pain. It may not work for you but find something to do that keeps you & your mind busy. Then try to eliminate a single pill. It might just work for you! Prayer was probably the greatest
pain reliever of all.
59 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-17 16:50:34
Question/Comment:
I am a 70 years old male with a form of Refex Sympathic Dysterphy. I have nerve damage on the left side of the back which is keeping the left side tight as a fiddle string which causes a set of nerves n the spine to send a message to the brain that I don't need my arms and legs. I could not make it with out 60 mg Oxycontin with 500 Hydrocodone for break over pain.
70 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-15 13:07:46
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213
Patient Comments about
Oxycontin