SA Health Fact Sheet Template - Green

Oxycodone for short-term

management of acute pain

This information is a general guide for

patients prescribed oxycodone for a

short time to treat acute pain. This

happens:

•

after an operation

•

as a result of injury

•

due to an acute medical illness

After an operation, injury or some

medical illnesses it is normal to have

pain. Each person will have different

levels of pain. We expect it to last

between a few days and a few weeks. It

is important for your recovery (getting

better) that you manage your pain well

so that you are able to do rehabilitation

activities such as exercises.

Why have I been given oxycodone?

Oxycodone (for example Endone

) is an

opioid. It is used to relieve strong pain

when other pain relievers such as

paracetamol (for example Panadol

Panamax

) and anti-inflammatories (for

example Brufen

, Voltaren

) are not

effective enough. Oxycodone is best

used together with paracetamol and/or

an anti-inflammatory.

You have been given oxycodone

because you may have strong pain for a

short time at home. Pain normally gets a

little less each day as you get better.

The type and amount of pain relievers

you need will change. In time, you will

only need paracetamol and/or an anti-

inflammatory or nothing at all.

How and when should I take it?

Take oxycodone only as ordered by

your doctor. This will be written on the

medicine label. If you have also been

advised to take paracetamol and/or an

anti-inflammatory, take them as well as

oxycodone

Do not take oxycodone longer than one

week as you may form a habit or

become addicted.

You should:

> Only take oxycodone when you need it to

relieve strong pain.

> If you still have strong pain after a week, see

your doctor

Before taking oxycodone

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:

> Have had an allergic reaction to oxycodone

in the past (or side effects).

> Have allergies to any medicines.

> Have any other medical conditions.

> Are taking any other medicines – especially

those for pain, anxiety, sleep or depression

> Are pregnant or breastfeeding

Precautions

Oxycodone can make you sleepy. For your safety,

you should

follow the instructions

listed below

for

as long as you are taking oxycodone

> Do not drive, ride a bike or operate

machinery, including power tools

> Take care with potentially hazardous

situations at home, such as boiling the kettle

> Do not make important personal or business

decisions, or sign legal papers

> Do not drink alcohol, take sleeping tablets or

other medicines that make you sleepy

> Do not take more tablets than have been

prescribed

> If you become drowsy or sleepy after taking

oxycodone, do not take any more until you

are wide awake. Once you are wide awake, if

you need to take oxycodone again, take a

lower dose (such as half (1/2) the dose).

SA Health

Stop taking oxycodone if you are

very sleepy or having trouble

staying awake.

Go to the emergency department

of your nearest hospital or

emergency services (000).

Side effects

You may have some side effects from

oxycodone. If you are worried about any

side effects that you develop or cannot

manage, talk to your doctor or

pharmacist. Common side effects

include:

> Drowsiness (see precautions),

nausea or vomiting, a skin rash.

> Constipation. Keep up your fluid and

fibre intake and stay active where

possible. You may need a laxative. If

constipation becomes a problem,

discuss it with your doctor or

pharmacist.

This is not a full list of the side effects of

oxycodone. For more information on the

side effects and risks read the

Consumer Medicines Information (CMI).

If you are having a serious or life-

threatening side effect such as:

> Trouble breathing

> Seizures (fits)

Call triple zero (000) straight away.

Safety measures

> When you see your doctor, dentist,

nurse, midwife and pharmacist, tell

them you are taking oxycodone.

> Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you

can take your other medicines as

well as oxycodone.

> Do not give your oxycodone to

anyone else.

> Keep oxycodone:

•

in a safe place and out of reach

of others

•

where children cannot see or

reach it.

•

in a cool, dry place.

> Do not keep any left-over oxycodone

that you do not need. Take it to your

pharmacy for safe disposal.

Pregnant or breast-feeding women:

> Do not sleep on the same surface as

your baby while taking oxycodone.

> If you or your baby are very sleepy or

having trouble staying awake, stop

taking oxycodone and contact the

emergency department of your

nearest hospital or call triple zero

(000).

This information does not take the

place of talking to your doctor or

pharmacist.

This fact sheet is a guide only and is not

intended to cover everything. It does not

take the place of professional advice

from your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. If

you have further questions or concerns,

please call:

> The hospital where you were treated

> Your GP or pharmacist

> Healthdirect 1800 022 222

> Poisons Information Centre

(specialist advice for poisons and

overdoses) 13 11 26

For more information

Medicines and Technology Programs

Office of the Chief Pharmacist

SA Health

Telephone: (08) 8204 1944

www.sahealth.sa.gov.au

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V 1.5 February 2021 Next review: October 2025