Fibromyalgia and Oxycodone

Oxycodone is a strong narcotic analgesic and cough suppressant used for moderate to severe pain. It is available as single ingredient products or compounded products. Some common examples of compounding are oxycodone with acetaminophen or NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

Oxycodone may also be prescribed for severe acute postoperative or post traumatic, neuropathic and cancer pain.

Oxycodone is used for mild to moderate pain. It reduces the awareness of pain by mimicking the action of certain hormones at opioid receptors in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. Respiratory depression results from the drug's action on brain stem respiratory centers. Oxycodone has a habit-forming potential and can be abused in a manner similar to other opioids.

Read more details about Oxycodone.

Oxycontin tablets come in strengths of 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 milligrams. The starting dose will depend on the patient's condition, type of pain-killers that have been used, and the tolerance for narcotics. Doctors usually recommend the lowest appropriate dose. Therapy is regularly reviewed and may be adjusted based on patient's own reports of pain and side effects, and the doctor's clinical judgment. The dose can be increased every 1 or 2 days. If excessive side effects occur the next dose will be reduced it and the doctor may recommend increasing the dosage of supplemental analgesics.

The usual initial dose using immediate release tablets is 5 mg to 15 mg every 4 to 6 hours. Maintenance dose is 10 mg to 30 mg every 4 hours. Doses exceeding 30 mg is rarely needed and should be used cautiously.

For conditions requiring round the clock treatment for a longer period, controlled release tablets may be prescribed. The usual starting dose for controlled release tablet is 10 mg every 12 hours.

When oxycodone is no longer needed for the treatment of pain, it should be gradually discontinued to prevent narcotic withdrawal syndrome. Therapy can be decreased by 25% to 50% daily, it is important to watch out for signs and symptoms of withdrawal. If the patient develops withdrawal symptoms, the dose should be increased to the previous level and titrated down more slowly.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Some forms of oxycodone are in a wax matric; you may see this in your stool. The oxycodone has been absorbed but the wax is not.

• This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.

• There are two different liquids available, make sure you have the right one.

• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.

• If you have a history of drug or alcohol addiction, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have an enlarged prostate, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have lung disease, talk with healthcare provider. You may be more sensitive to this medicine.

• If you have seizures, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have thyroid disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

• Itching.

• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Severe dizziness or passing out.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• Poor pain control.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe constipation.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.