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-Jul-31 4:35 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Jul-30 9:16 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*
- 2,616,000
- 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.
Recent alerts for Oxycontin
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Oxycontin during the past year.
Oxycontin Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Oxycontin used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 19,300 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% |
mild
severe
|
| Pain-Generalized | 44% |
mild
severe
|
| Fibromyalgia | 16% |
mild
severe
|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 9% |
mild
severe
|
| Migraine/Headache | 8% |
mild
severe
|
| Other | 7% |
mild
severe
|
How well does Oxycontin work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 19,300 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 19,300 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 significant 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:
Is there a way to detox from Oxycontin without experiencing withdrawal symptoms? Every method I researched involved the patient becoming addicted to another drug be it methadone, suboxone or a combination of a number of other addicting medications.
68 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-06-24 21:50:09
Question/Comment:
I have been taking gabapentin 1200x 3 a day for my neuropathic pain in both my feet and hand for the last 2 years. It helped alot in the beginning and then I had to increase to the present amount.This medication has made me swell in my hands and joints;but they go away and you get used to this side effects.I am now on Lyrica and have to adjust the dose but It sure is better than the Gabapentin.Hope it won't make me swell.For now I'm content.Only time will tell about the dreaded side effects.
55 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-05-04 04:06:24
Answer/Reply:
I have been on Lyrica for a while and have experienced no problems. It did amplify my swelling the first two months, but after that it just does it's job and doesn't bother me at all. Good Luck.
51 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-07-01 23:40:40
Question/Comment:
Look, it's either a good life and Narcotics (I take three 80 mg Oxycontins three times a day plus Morphine Sulfate Liquid for breakthrough Pain) or no Narcotics and a life of misery. I have taken this regimen for ten years. So if you go to a doctor and he has reservations treating you---leave. Find a doctor that knows what pain does to the rest of your health.
53 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-04-18 23:32:18
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
Answer/Reply:
It really drives me crazy for those who don't prescribe narcotics/pain meds. "Oh no, you will become addicted". Give me a break, those who are on high blood pressure medicine are addicted, if you skip one you will have side effects. All meds that we are on can be addictive and your body will have a reaction if you try to get off of it. Thanks to those addictive narcotic/pain meds I am no longer bed ridden, I can move around, play with my grandchildren, grocery shop and go on vacation. So people should re-train their attitudes.
51 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-07-01 23:46:34
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:
If you are truly in pain then you will NOT get addicted to any Opiate including Oxycotin. I'm on Oxycotin 3 times a day and sometimes I find it's to much, so I don't take the middle dose. My Doctor knows this and I just dropped down from 4 times per day.
I understand how Doctors could be very cautious. There's a lot of addicts out there who do a very good job of hiding the fact of what they are. Must be hard for Doctors. Keep your chin up, be honest and things will fall into place.
55 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-04-13 11:21:55
Answer/Reply:
You have it exactly right! I have been taking it for 7 years now and wish I didn't have to. My pain dr looks at me funny everytime I ask if we should try a lower dose. So many "patients" go in these pain centers and ruin dr's trust; could not imagine doing there job with the risk involved.
34 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-04-17 19:25:06
Answer/Reply:
""If you are truly in pain then you will NOT get addicted to any Opiate including Oxycotin""
REALLY?? And you went to medical school WHERE exactly?? Opiates in general, and ESPECIALLY Oxycodone are by their very nature PHYSICALLY ADDICTIVE!!! I will forego the long textbook explanation and simply say that when your baseline pain model is altered by ANY opiate taken over a long period of time, you WILL become physically addicted!!! I am a chronic pain patient and have experienced addiction
42 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-04-19 10:34:42
Answer/Reply:
Perhaps you are unfamiliar with physical dependence vs. psychological addiction.
I. Addiction
Addiction is a primary, chronic, neurobiologic disease, with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. It is characterized by behaviors that include one or more of the following: impaired control over drug use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, and craving.
37 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-05-09 01:20:04
Answer/Reply:
II. Physical Dependence
Physical dependence is a state of adaptation that is manifested by a drug class specific withdrawal syndrome that can be produced by abrupt cessation, rapid dose reduction, decreasing blood level of the drug, and/or administration of an antagonist.
III. Tolerance
Tolerance is a state of adaptation in which exposure to a drug induces changes that result in a diminution of one or more of the drug’s effects over time.
37 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-05-09 01:20:58
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
Answer/Reply:
i am now on 60mg of oxy twice a day plus cocodamol and diclofenac diazepam and another muscle relaxant i also get treated like i am a junkie every time i go to the doc i have a non cancerous tumour on my spine and my liver.i am still in pain but really worry as i have been told that the drugs will shorten my life span i am now dependant on them and still in pain so what is the answer i wish someone would tell me as i,m feeling really alone and scared of what these are doing to me
40 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-06-10 08:58:25
Answer/Reply:
Don't give up. I have been with a Neurologist for years now. He has my pain under control (thank God). I will say that I saw a Doctor over the weekend as a walk in basis. This guy went completely nuts when he saw that I take Oxycontin! Literally. The whole appt. was nothing but giving me hell about taking it. He has no idea the pain I'm in (hurt lower back). I really felt attacked and scared. He told me that if he took even a Lortab it would knock hiim out. Why do I care? His body is different than mine. I find I always have to explain myself over this. It's insane. I'm being treated and am monitored. I see him every 3 months. Some of these Doctors just don't understand. Even Pharmacists look at me like I'm a drug addict. I'm seriously thinking of filing a complaint against this guy. When you know you're doing the right thing walk in with your head up and keep it up!!!
53 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-22 12:55:59
Answer/Reply:
I HAVE actually filed a complaint against a pharmacist who went on a rant about my oxycontin, telling me how addictive it was, and I was just going to be like a junkie (while other customers stood gawking). I have since found a larger pharmacy located right near my pain management doctor's office, so they are used to the prescriptions. They know my doctor, and me, and I have had no problems since that incident, since they know I don't use my medications up "early", etc. It's sad that there are people in this business who let their personal beliefs interfere.
45 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-07-04 14:44:25
Answer/Reply:
Yes doctors, alot of them have a God complexe, I fortunetly have one that works with me and is compationent.. And we work together to mamage my pain & my cronic illnesses.
You should keep going around and find one that cares about you, not the insureance companies..
Being in constant pain myself.. I've learn to control myself when dealing with the medical field.
There are doctor that are good people,
53 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-04-09 09:57:30
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236
Patient Comments About
Oxycontin