Foi 1299 75
Foi 1299 75
Foi 1299 75
PRODUCT INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
Oxycodone hydrochloride is a white, crystalline, odourless powder readily soluble in water,
sparingly soluble in ethanol and nearly insoluble in ether.
OxyContin tablets are modified release tablets designed to provide delivery of oxycodone
over 12 hours.
OxyContin 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg1 and 80 mg tablets have been
reformulated, and comprise a matrix formulation with a hydrogelling property (i.e. particles or
whole tablets become highly viscous (gel-like) in water), intended to be crush-deterrent and to
reduce the rapid release of oxycodone upon accidental or intentional misuse. The tablets have
been heat-treated to increase the mechanical strength of the tablet.
The physical properties of the reformulated OxyContin tablets were examined following an
extensive battery of physical manipulations. Beyond demonstrating that the reformulated
OxyContin tablets are harder to crush than another controlled release oxycodone formulation,
testing over the range of the reformulated OxyContin tablets fragment sizes showed that some
of the controlled release properties were still retained. Hydrogelling properties continued to be
demonstrated.
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The inactive ingredients in the reformulated OxyContin 10 to 80 mg tablets are: polyethylene
oxide, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and magnesium stearate. The tablets’ film coating
also contain: Opadry Y-5-18024-A White (US version) (ARPING No. 3548) (10mg), Opadry
complete film coating system 05B97512 Gray (ARPING No. 12507) (15mg), Opadry YS-1-
14518-A Pink (ARPING No. 3547) (20mg), Opadry complete film coating system YS-1-
16518-A Brown (ARPING No. 12505) (30mg), Opadry Yellow YS-1-12525-A (ARPING
No. 3550) (40mg), Opadry complete film coating system 15B25501 Red (ARPING No.
12506) (60mg) and Opadry Y-5-11167-A Green (ARPING No. 3549) (80mg).
1
OxyContin 60 mg tablets are not marketed in Australia.
PHARMACOLOGY
Actions
Oxycodone is a full opioid agonist with no antagonist properties whose principal therapeutic
action is analgesia. It has an affinity for kappa, mu and delta opiate receptors in the brain and
spinal cord. Oxycodone is similar to morphine in its action. Other pharmacological actions of
oxycodone are in the central nervous system (CNS: respiratory depression, antitussive,
anxiolytic, sedative and miosis), smooth muscle (constipation, reduction in gastric, biliary and
pancreatic secretions, spasm of sphincter of Oddi and transient elevations in serum amylase)
and cardiovascular system (release of histamine and/or peripheral vasodilatation, possibly
causing pruritus, flushing, red eyes, sweating and/or orthostatic hypotension).
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Compared with morphine, which has an absolute bioavailability of approximately 30%,
oxycodone has a high absolute bioavailability of up to 87% following oral administration.
The mean apparent half-life of OxyContin tablets is 6.5 hours and steady-state is achieved in
about one day.
OxyContin tablets have an oral bioavailability comparable with immediate release oral
oxycodone, but achieve maximal plasma concentrations at about three hours compared with 1-
1.5 hours for immediate release oral oxycodone. Peak and trough concentrations of oxycodone
from OxyContin tablets 10 mg administered 12-hourly are similar to those achieved from
immediate release oxycodone 5 mg administered 6-hourly.
Dose proportionality has been established for the 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg1
and 80mg tablet strengths for both peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) and extent of absorption
(AUC).
Recent fasted and fed studies for OxyContin 10, 40 and 80 mg tablets indicate that food has
no significant effect on the extent of absorption of oxycodone from OxyContin tablets.
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Distribution
Following absorption, oxycodone is distributed throughout the entire body. Oxycodone has
been found in breast milk (see PRECAUTIONS, Use in lactation).
INDICATIONS
The management of moderate to severe chronic pain unresponsive to non-narcotic analgesia.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Hypersensitivity to opioids or to any of the constituents of OxyContin tablets, acute respiratory
depression, cor pulmonale, cardiac arrhythmias, acute asthma or other obstructive airways
disease, suspected mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction (e.g. bowel obstruction, strictures) or
any diseases/conditions that affect bowel transit (e.g. ileus of any type), suspected surgical
abdomen, severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 10 mL/min), severe hepatic
impairment (refer to Special Risk Groups), delayed gastric emptying, acute alcoholism, brain
tumour, increased cerebrospinal or intracranial pressure, head injury (due to risk of raised
intracranial pressure), severe CNS depression, convulsive disorders, delirium tremens,
hypercarbia, concurrent administration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors or within two weeks
of discontinuation of their use. Not recommended for pre-operative use or for the first 24 hours
post-operatively. Pregnancy.
CLINICAL TRIALS
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose, parallel group, two-week study was
conducted in 133 patients with persistent, moderate to severe pain, who were judged as
having inadequate pain control with their current therapy. In this study, OxyContin 20 mg
tablets, but not 10 mg tablets, was statistically significant in pain reduction compared with
placebo (text from OxyContin US Prescribing Information dated April 2013).
PRECAUTIONS
The major risk of opioid excess is respiratory depression, including subclinical respiratory
depression. As with all opioids, a reduction in dosage may be advisable in hypothyroidism.
Use with caution in opioid-dependent patients and in patients with hypotension, hypovolaemia,
diseases of the biliary tract, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disorders, prostatic hypertrophy,
adrenocortical insufficiency (Addison’s disease), toxic psychosis, chronic pulmonary, renal or
hepatic disease, myxoedema and debilitated elderly or infirm patients. As with all opioid
preparations, patients who are to undergo cordotomy or other pain-relieving surgical procedures
should not receive OxyContin tablets for 24 hours before surgery. Pain in the immediate pre-
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operative period, and any symptoms of opioid withdrawal, should be managed with short-acting
analgesic agents. If further treatment with OxyContin tablets is then indicated the dosage
should be adjusted to the new post-operative requirement.
Hyperalgesia that will not respond to a further dose increase of oxycodone may very rarely
occur, in particular at high doses. An oxycodone dose reduction or change in opioid may be
required.
As with all opioid preparations, OxyContin tablets should be used with caution following
abdominal surgery as opioids are known to impair intestinal motility and should not be used
until the physician is assured of normal bowel function. Should paralytic ileus be suspected or
occur during use, OxyContin tablets should be discontinued immediately.
Use caution when prescribing OxyContin tablets for patients who have any underlying GI
disorders that may predispose them to intestinal obstruction. Patients with underlying GI
disorders such as oesophageal cancer or colon cancer with a small gastrointestinal lumen are at
greater risk.
OxyContin tablets should not be taken by patients with difficulty in swallowing or who have
been diagnosed with narrowing of the oesophagus. If patients experience swallowing
difficulties (e.g. choking, gagging, discomfort, regurgitation, tablets stuck in the throat) after
taking OxyContin tablets, they should be advised to seek immediate medical attention.
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Generally, opioid analgesics are not initiated prior to a full initial clinical assessment and
before consideration of other treatment options such as physiotherapy/exercise/rehabilitation
approaches, psychosocial interventions such as CBT (cognitive-behavioural therapy) self-
management approaches, involvement of a psychologist or psychiatrist to address
psychological co-morbidities which may be impacting on pain coping and trials of other non-
opioid pharmacotherapeutic or interventional strategies.
One doctor only should be responsible for the prescription and monitoring of the patient’s
opioid use. Prescribers should consult appropriate clinical guidelines on the use of opioid
analgesics in such patients (e.g. those published by the Australian Pain Society in the Medical
Journal of Australia 1997; 167: 30-4).
Drug dependence
As with other opioids, tolerance and physical dependence tend to develop upon repeated
administration of oxycodone. There is potential for abuse of the drug and for development of
strong psychological dependence. OxyContin tablets should therefore be prescribed and
handled with a high degree of caution appropriate to the use of a drug with strong abuse
potential.
Oxycodone should be used with caution and under close supervision in patients with pain not
due to malignancy who have a prior history of substance abuse. In such cases, prior
psychological assessment is essential and the prescribing doctor should consider whether the
benefit of treatment outweighs the risk of abuse.
Objective measures of pupil diameter and other subjective measures were consistent with a
lower opioid effect. Measurements of intranasal irritation showed increased irritation,
particularly related to nasal stuffiness, with OxyContin tablets compared with another
conventional controlled release oxycodone tablets formulation or oxycodone powder.
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In a tolerability and safety study with healthy subjects under fasting conditions, milled
OxyContin tablets were shown to cause increased nasal discomfort, particularly related to
increased nasal stuffiness, and a decrease in runny nose scores when compared with another
finely milled controlled release oxycodone tablets formulation, when administered intranasally.
Although total AUC was similar for all treatments, Cmax was 67% for coarsely and 77.6% for
finely milled OxyContin tablets (Ratio of metric means expressed as a percent, transformed
back to the linear scale) compared with the other finely milled conventional controlled release
oxycodone tablets formulation and Tmax was later with OxyContin tablets.
An additional study was conducted to assess the administration site safety and tolerability of
intranasally administered milled OxyContin tablets placebo vs another crushed conventional
controlled release oxycodone tablets formulation placebo. Endoscopy photographs showed
residual particles in the nasal cavity at 30 minutes following administration of OxyContin
tablets placebo.
The results showed that under both normal and vigorous chewing conditions, OxyContin
tablets retained some of their controlled release characteristics. Peak plasma levels of
oxycodone (Cmax) for OxyContin tablets were 13.5% lower when swallowed after vigorous
chewing and 23.6% lower when swallowed after normal chewing (Ratio of metric means
expressed as a percent, transformed back to the linear scale) when compared with another
chewed conventional formulation of controlled release oxycodone tablets. The time to reach
peak plasma levels (Tmax) was also delayed for OxyContin tablets compared with the other
conventional controlled release oxycodone tablet formulation, under both vigorous (1.5 vs 1.0
hours respectively) and normal (2.38 vs 1.13 hours respectively) chewing conditions.
Formulation
OxyContin tablets are intended for oral use only. The modified release tablets must be
swallowed whole, and not broken, chewed or crushed. The administration of broken, chewed
or crushed modified release oxycodone tablets leads to a rapid release and absorption of a
potentially fatal dose of oxycodone. Parenteral venous injection of the tablet constituents can
be expected to result in local tissue necrosis, pulmonary granulomas and serious adverse
reactions which may be fatal.
Effects on fertility
In reproductive toxicology studies, no evidence of impaired fertility was seen in male or
female rats at oral oxycodone doses of 8 mg/kg/day, with estimated exposure (plasma AUC)
equivalent to 8 mg/day in men and 17 mg/day in women.
Despite these fertility studies in animals, prolonged use of opioids may result in impairment
of reproductive function, including fertility and sexual dysfunction in both sexes, and
irregular menses in women.
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Use in pregnancy
Australian Pregnancy Category C: Drugs which, owing to their pharmacological effects, have
caused or may be suspected of causing, harmful effects on the human fetus or neonate without
causing malformations. These effects may be reversible.
Oxycodone used during pregnancy or labour may cause withdrawal symptoms and/or
respiratory depression in the newborn infant. Oral administration of oxycodone during the
period of organogenesis did not elicit teratogenicity or embryofetal toxicity in rats or rabbits at
doses up to 8 mg/kg/day in rats (equivalent to 17 mg/day in women, based on estimated plasma
AUC values) or 125 mg/kg/day in rabbits.
Oral administration of oxycodone to rats from early gestation to weaning did not affect
postnatal development parameters at doses up to 6 mg/kg/day (equivalent to 9 mg/day in
women, based on estimated AUC values). In a study designed specifically to investigate the
effect of pre-natal oxycodone on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in adolescent rats,
intravenous administration of oxycodone 0.8 mg/kg/day (equivalent to 11 mg/day in pregnant
women, based on estimated AUC values) had no effect on the corticosterone response, but
delayed and enhanced the peak ACTH response to corticotrophin releasing hormone in males,
but not females. The clinical significance of this observation is unknown.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with oxycodone in pregnant women.
Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human responses, oxycodone
should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly needed. Prolonged use of oxycodone during
pregnancy can result in neonatal opioid withdrawal. Oxycodone is not recommended for use in
women during or immediately prior to labour. Infants born to mothers who have received
opioids during pregnancy should be monitored for respiratory depression.
Use in lactation
Oxycodone accumulates in human milk, with a median maternal milk:plasma ratio of 3:1
recorded in one study. Oxycodone (7.5 ng/mL) was detected in the plasma of one of forty-
one infants 72 hours after Caesarean section. Opioids may cause respiratory depression in the
newborn and withdrawal symptoms can occur in breastfeeding infants when maternal
administration of an opioid analgesic is stopped. OxyContin tablets should not be used in
breastfeeding mothers unless the benefits outweigh the risks. Breastfed infants should be
monitored for respiratory depression, sedation, poor attachment and gastrointestinal signs.
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Use in elderly, debilitated patients
As with other opioid initiation and titration, doses in elderly patients who are debilitated should
be reduced to ⅓ to ½ of the usual doses.
Gender
Female subjects have, on average, plasma oxycodone concentrations up to 25% higher than
males on a body weight adjusted basis. The reason for this difference is unknown. There were
no significant male/female differences detected for efficacy or adverse events in clinical trials.
Genotoxicity
Oxycodone was not genotoxic in bacterial gene mutation assays but was positive in the mouse
lymphoma assay. In assays of chromosomal damage, genotoxic effects occurred in the human
lymphocyte chromosomal aberration assay in vitro, but not in the in vivo bone marrow
micronucleus assay in mice.
Carcinogenicity
Studies of oxycodone in animals to evaluate its carcinogenic potential have not been
conducted.
Antihypertensive agents
Hypotensive effects of these medications may be potentiated when used concurrently with
oxycodone, leading to increased risk of orthostatic hypotension.
Coumarin derivatives
Although there is little substantiating evidence, opiate agonists have been reported to potentiate
the anticoagulant activity of coumarin derivatives.
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CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inhibitors and inducers
Oxycodone is metabolised in part via the CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 pathways. The activities of
these metabolic pathways may be inhibited or induced by various co-administered drugs or
dietary elements, which may alter plasma oxycodone concentrations. Oxycodone doses may
need to be adjusted accordingly. Drugs that inhibit CYP2D6 activity, such as paroxetine and
quinidine, may cause decreased clearance of oxycodone which could lead to an increase in
oxycodone plasma concentrations. Concurrent administration of quinidine does not alter the
pharmacodynamic effects of oxycodone. CYP3A4 inhibitors such as macrolide antibiotics (e.g.
clarithromycin), azole antifungal agents (e.g. ketoconazole), protease inhibitors (e.g. ritonavir)
and grapefruit juice may cause decreased clearance of oxycodone which could lead to an
increase in oxycodone plasma concentrations. Oxycodone metabolism may be blocked by a
variety of drugs (e.g. cimetidine, certain cardiovascular drugs and antidepressants), although
such blockade has not yet been shown to be of clinical significance with OxyContin tablets.
CYP3A4 inducers, such as rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin and St. John's wort, may induce
the metabolism of oxycodone and cause increased clearance of the drug, resulting in a decrease
in oxycodone plasma concentrations.
Oxycodone did not inhibit the activity of P450 isozymes 2D6, 3A4, 1A2, 2A6, 2C19 or 2E1 in
human liver microsomes in vitro. Non-clinical data in vitro and in vivo indicate that oxycodone
can act as a P-glycoprotein substrate and can induce overexpression of P-glycoprotein in rats.
Metoclopramide
Concurrent use with oxycodone may antagonise the effects of metoclopramide on
gastrointestinal motility.
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ADVERSE EFFECTS
Adverse drug reactions are typical of full opioid agonists, and tend to reduce with time, with the
exception of constipation. Anticipation of adverse drug reactions and appropriate patient
management can improve acceptability.
Cardiac disorders
Uncommon bradycardia, chest pain, palpitations (as part of withdrawal syndrome), ST
depression, supraventricular tachycardia
Eye disorders
Uncommon miosis, visual impairment
Gastrointestinal disorders
Very common nausea, vomiting, constipation
Common abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, gastritis, hiccup
Uncommon colic, dental caries, dysphagia, eructation, flatulence, gastrointestinal disorder,
ileus, stomatitis, regurgitation, retching
Hepatobiliary disorders
Uncommon biliary spasm, cholestasis, hepatic enzyme increased
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Psychiatric disorders
Common abnormal dreams, anxiety, confusional state, insomnia, nervousness, thinking
abnormal, depression
Uncommon affect lability, agitation, disorientation, drug dependence, dysphoria, euphoric
mood, hallucination, libido decreased, mood altered, restlessness
Not known aggression
Vascular disorders
Common orthostatic hypotension
Uncommon hypotension, migraine, vasodilatation
If nausea and vomiting are troublesome, oxycodone may be combined with an antiemetic.
Constipation must be treated with appropriate laxatives. Overdose may produce respiratory
depression. Compared with other opioids, oxycodone is associated with low histamine release
although urticaria and pruritus may occur.
Post-marketing
There have been rare post-marketing cases of intestinal obstruction, and exacerbation of
diverticulitis, some of which have required medical intervention to remove the tablet.
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DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
OxyContin tablets 60 mg1 and 80 mg should only be used in opioid-tolerant patients.
These tablet strengths may cause fatal respiratory depression in patients not previously
exposed to opioids (opioid naïve).
OxyContin tablets are to be swallowed whole, and are not to be cut, broken, chewed,
crushed or dissolved. The tablets have been hardened to reduce the risk of being
accidently or intentionally broken, chewed or crushed. Taking cut, broken, chewed,
crushed or dissolved OxyContin tablets could lead to the rapid release and absorption of a
potentially fatal dose of oxycodone.
There are no data on rectal administration of OxyContin tablets, therefore rectal administration
of OxyContin tablets is not recommended.
Do not administer OxyContin tablets via nasogastric, gastric or other feeding tubes as it may
cause obstruction of feeding tubes.
Alcoholic beverages should be avoided by patients while being treated with OxyContin tablets.
1
OxyContin 60 mg tablets are not marketed in Australia.
The usual starting dose for opioid-naïve patients or patients presenting with moderate to severe
pain uncontrolled by weaker opioids (especially if they are receiving concurrent sedatives,
muscle relaxants or other CNS medicines) is 10 mg 12-hourly.
The dose should then be carefully titrated with longitudinal patient monitoring, assessing
whether the pain is opioid responsive and providing the patient significant pain relief.
Increasing severity of pain may require an increased dosage of OxyContin tablets to achieve a
stable dose that provides acceptable pain relief. The correct dosage for any individual patient is
that which controls the pain and is well tolerated, for a full 12 hours. If higher doses are
necessary, increases should be made, where possible, in 25% - 50% increments.
Patients who experience breakthrough pain may require dosage adjustment or rescue
medication. The need for rescue medication more than twice a day indicates that the patient
should be reassessed and, only if appropriate, the dosage of OxyContin tablets should be
increased. There are no well-controlled clinical studies evaluating the safety and efficacy with
dosing more frequently than every 12 hours.
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Patients receiving oral morphine before OxyContin tablet therapy should have their daily dose
based on the following ratio: 10 mg of oral oxycodone is equivalent to 20 mg of oral morphine.
It is emphasised that this is a guide to the dose of OxyContin tablets required only. Inter-patient
variability requires that each patient is carefully titrated to the appropriate dose.
Controlled pharmacokinetic studies in elderly patients (aged over 65 years) have shown that
compared with younger adults the clearance of oxycodone is only slightly reduced. No
untoward adverse drug reactions were seen based on age, therefore adult doses and dosage
intervals are appropriate.
* To be used for conversion to oral oxycodone. For patients receiving high-dose parenteral
opioids, a more conservative conversion is warranted. For example, for high-dose parenteral morphine,
use 1.5 instead of 3 as a multiplication factor.
** Conversion from transdermal fentanyl to OxyContin tablets: 18 hours following the removal of
the transdermal fentanyl patch, OxyContin tablets treatment can be initiated. Although there has been no
systematic assessment of such conversion, a conservative oxycodone dose, approximately 10 mg 12-
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hourly of OxyContin tablets, should be initially substituted for each 25 µg/hr fentanyl transdermal patch.
The patient should be followed closely.
OVERDOSAGE
Symptoms
Acute overdosage with oxycodone can be manifested by respiratory depression (reduced
respiratory rate and/or tidal volume, Cheyne-Stokes respiration, cyanosis), extreme
somnolence progressing to stupor or coma, hypotonia, cold and/or clammy skin, miosis
(dilated if hypoxia is severe), and sometimes bradycardia, hypotension, and death. Severe
overdose may result in apnoea, pulmonary oedema, circulatory collapse and death. The
features of overdose may be delayed with a sustained release product such as OxyContin
tablets.
Activated charcoal may reduce absorption of the drug if given within one to two hours after
ingestion. Administration of activated charcoal should be restricted to patients who are fully
conscious with an intact gag reflex or protected airway. A saline cathartic or sorbitol added to
the first dose of activated charcoal may speed gastrointestinal passage of the product. In
patients who are not fully conscious or have an impaired gag reflex, consideration should be
given to administering activated charcoal via a nasogastric tube, once the airway is protected.
Whole bowel irrigation (e.g. 1 or 2 litres of polyethylene glycol solution orally per hour until
rectal effluent is clear) may be useful for gut decontamination. Whole bowel irrigation is
contraindicated in patients with bowel obstruction, perforation, ileus, haemodynamic
instability or compromised, unprotected airways and should be used cautiously in debilitated
patients and where the condition may be further compromised. Concurrent administration of
activated charcoal and whole bowel irrigation may decrease the effectiveness of the charcoal
(there may be competition for the charcoal binding site between the polyethylene glycol and
the ingested drugs) but the clinical relevance is uncertain. Prolonged periods of observation
(days) may be required for patients who have overdosed with long-acting oxycodone
preparations.
If there are signs of clinically significant respiratory or cardiovascular depression, the use of
an opioid antagonist should be considered. The opioid antagonist naloxone hydrochloride is a
specific antidote for respiratory depression due to overdosage or as a result of unusual
sensitivity to opioid. The usual intravenous adult dose of naloxone is 0.4 mg or higher (please
refer to naloxone product information for further information). The onset of naloxone effect
may be delayed by 30 minutes or more. Concomitant efforts at respiratory resuscitation
should be carried out. Since the duration of action of oxycodone, particularly sustained
release formulations, may exceed that of the antagonist, the patient should be under continued
surveillance and doses of the antagonist should be repeated as needed, or an antagonist
infusion established, to maintain adequate respiration.
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In an individual physically dependent on, or tolerant to, opioids, the administration of the
usual dose of opioid antagonist can precipitate an acute withdrawal syndrome. This may lead
to agitation, hypertension, tachycardia and risk of vomiting with possible aspiration. The
severity of this syndrome will depend on the degree of physical dependence and the dose of
antagonist administered. The use of opioid antagonists in such individuals should be avoided
if possible. If an opioid antagonist must be used to treat serious respiratory depression in the
physically dependent patient, the antagonist should be administered with extreme care by
using dosage titration, commencing with 10 to 20% of the usual recommended initial dose.
Toxicity
Oxycodone toxicity may result from overdosage but because of the great interindividual
variation in sensitivity to opioids it is difficult to determine an exact dose of any opioid that is
toxic or lethal. Crushing and taking the contents of a modified release dosage form leads to
the release of oxycodone in an immediate fashion; this might result in a fatal overdose. The
toxic effects and signs of overdosage may be less pronounced than expected, when pain
and/or tolerance are manifest.
Please phone the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for advice on managing overdose.
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15 mg – 20 tablets in blister packs and 10, 28, 100 and 120 tablets in bottles
20 mg – 20 tablets in blister packs and 10, 28, 100 and 120 tablets in bottles
30 mg – 20 tablets in blister packs and 10, 28, 100 and 120 tablets in bottles
40 mg – 20 tablets in blister packs and 10, 28, 100 and 120 tablets in bottles
60 mg – 20 and 28 tablets in blister packs and 10, 28, 100 and 120 tablets in bottles
80 mg – 20 tablets in blister packs and 10, 28, 100 and 120 tablets in bottles
Storage Conditions
Store below 25ºC.
Orbis RA-3069
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