Oxycodone dosages and how to use it
Oxycodone comes in several different formulations, including:
• Immediate-release oral tablets. Immediate-release oral oxycodone tablets come in 5 different dosages, including 5 milligrams, 10 milligrams, 15 milligrams, 20 milligrams, and 30 milligrams.
• Immediate-release, abuse-deterrent oral tablets. These abuse-deterrent oral tablets come in 1 dosage of 10 milligrams.
• Extended-release oral tablets. These extended-release oral tablets come in 7 different dosages, including 10 milligrams, 15 milligrams, 20 milligrams, 30 milligrams, 40 milligrams, 60 milligrams, and 80 milligrams.
• Immediate-release oral capsules. Immediate-release capsules come in 1 dosage of 5 milligrams.
• Immediate-release oral solution. Immediate-release oral solution comes in 2 different dosages, including 5 milligrams per 5 milliliters and 100 milligrams per 5 milliliters.
Make sure to take oxycodone exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Never share this medication with someone else, particularly a person with a history of addiction or substance abuse. Keep oxycodone in a place where other people can’t access it.
Always swallow the oral tablet or capsule whole, and don’t dissolve, open, break, chew, or crush it. Doing so could expose you to a potentially fatal oxycodone overdose. Measure the oral solution carefully with a dosing syringe or medicine dose measuring device.
Never stop taking oxycodone suddenly. Always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions about reducing your dose gradually over time.
Store oxycodone at room temperature, away from light, moisture, and heat. Don’t keep any leftover oxycodone. Instead, ask your pharmacist or provider where to find a medication take-back disposal program.
If you miss a dose of oxycodone, take it as soon as possible. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Don’t take 2 doses of oxycodone at the same time.
Oxycodone side effects and warnings
Oxycodone can cause common side effects, including:
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Constipation
• Flushing
• Red eyes
• Itching
Let your provider know right away or seek emergency medical care if you notice any severe side effects. These serious side effects can include:
• Unusual behavior or thoughts
• Confusion
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Clammy, cold skin
• Weak pulse or slow heart rate
• Heart failure, palpitations, or a fast heart rate
• Shallow breathing, sighing, noisy breathing, or breathing that stops during sleep
• Seizures or convulsions
• Low cortisol levels, including dizziness, appetite loss, vomiting, nausea, and worsening weakness or tiredness
• High serotonin levels in the body, including loss of coordination, muscle stiffness, twitching, fast heart rate, shivering, sweating, fever, hallucinations, agitation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
Oxycodone carries multiple boxed warnings for risk of overdose, addiction, and death, respiratory depression, accidental ingestion by children, and risk of combining oxycodone with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants.
Keep in mind that the misuse of oxycodone or any other opioid medication can potentially lead to death, overdose, or addiction. It’s important to keep oxycodone in a safe place where other people can’t access it.