Note: This document contains side effect information about oxycodone. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name OxyContin.
Applies to oxycodone: oral conventional or extended-release preparations.
Warning
Special Alerts:
- FDA drug safety communication (4/13/2023):500 As part of its ongoing efforts to address the nation’s opioid crisis, FDA is requiring several updates to the prescribing information of opioid pain medicines. The changes are being made to provide additional guidance for safe use of these drugs while also recognizing the important benefits when used appropriately. The changes apply to both immediate-release (IR) and extended-release/long-acting preparations (ER/LA).
- Updates to the IR opioids state that these drugs should not be used for an extended period unless the pain remains severe enough to require an opioid pain medicine and alternative treatment options are insufficient, and that many acute pain conditions treated in the outpatient setting require no more than a few days of an opioid pain medicine.
- Updates to the ER/LA opioids recommend that these drugs be reserved for severe and persistent pain requiring an extended period of treatment with a daily opioid pain medicine and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate.
- A new warning is being added about opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) for both IR and ER/LA opioid pain medicines. This includes information describing the symptoms that differentiate OIH from opioid tolerance and withdrawal.
- Information in the boxed warning for all IR and ER/LA opioid pain medicines will be updated and reordered to elevate the importance of warnings concerning life-threatening respiratory depression, and risks associated with using opioid pain medicines in conjunction with benzodiazepines or other medicines that depress the central nervous system (CNS).
- Other changes will also be required in various other sections of the prescribing information to educate clinicians, patients, and caregivers about the risks of these drugs.
REMS:
FDA approved a REMS for oxycodone to ensure that the benefits outweigh the risk. The REMS may apply to one or more preparations of oxycodone and consists of the following: medication guide and elements to assure safe use. See the FDA REMS page ([Web]).
Side effects include:
Constipation, nausea, sedation/somnolence, dizziness, lightheadedness, vomiting, pruritus, headache, insomnia, dry mouth, sweating, asthenia.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to oxycodone: compounding powder, oral capsule, oral capsule extended release, oral concentrate, oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.
General
The most commonly reported adverse reactions in adults included constipation, nausea, somnolence, dizziness, vomiting, pruritus, headache, dry mouth, asthenia, and sweating. In pediatric patients, the most frequently observed adverse reactions included vomiting, nausea, headache, pyrexia, and constipation.[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Headache (14%, pediatrics)
Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness (pediatrics)
Frequency not reported: Confusion, hypertonia, hypesthesia, nervousness, neuralgia, personality disorder, tremor, migraine
Postmarketing reports: Serotonin syndrome[Ref]
Respiratory
Frequency not reported: Apnea, respiratory arrest, bronchitis, cough increased, dyspnea, epistaxis, laryngismus, lung disorder, pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis[Ref]
Severe adverse effects such as respiratory depression can be treated with the opioid antagonist naloxone.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Nausea (23% to 27%), constipation (23% to 26%), vomiting (12% to 14%)
Frequency not reported: Abdominal pain, anorexia, diarrhea, dyspepsia, dysphagia, gingivitis, glossitis[Ref]
In pediatric studies with the oral extended release product, gastrointestinal adverse events were reported in 40% of patients 11 to 16 years of age (56 of 140); vomiting, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea were experienced by 21%, 15%, 9%, and 6%, respectively. Abdominal pain and gastroesophageal reflux disease were reported in 1% to less than 5% of patients.[Ref]
Psychiatric
Frequency not reported: Paranoia, psychosis, hallucinations, agitation, anxiety[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, hyperhidrosis, rash
Frequency not reported: Herpes simplex, rash, sweating, urticaria[Ref]
Hepatic
Frequency not reported: Increased hepatic enzymes
Cardiovascular
Frequency not reported: QTc prolongation at higher doses, deep thrombophlebitis, heart failure, hemorrhage, hypotension, palpitation, tachycardia, edema, peripheral edema, vasodilation, circulatory collapse[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Dysuria, urinary retention
Frequency not reported: Urinary tract infection[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Allergic reaction
Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis[Ref]
Immunologic
Frequency not reported: Flu syndrome, infection, sepsis[Ref]
Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Decreased appetite (pediatrics)
Frequency not reported: Gout, hyperglycemia, iron deficiency anemia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Frequency not reported: Back pain, neck pain, arthralgia, arthritis, bone pain, myalgia, pathological fracture[Ref]
Ocular
Frequency not reported: Photosensitivity reaction, amblyopia[Ref]
Other
Very common (10% or more): Pyrexia (11%, pediatrics)
Frequency not reported: Chills and fever, accidental injury[Ref]
Endocrine
Opioids:
Postmarketing reports: Adrenal insufficiency, androgen deficiency[Ref]
