Drug Name: Oxycontin (Generic Name: Oxycodone hydrochloride)

Action: Narcotic agonist analgesic.

The narcotic action of the drug is shown through pain relief (analgesia), sleepiness, euphoria, unclear
thinking, slow breathing, mitosis, slowed peristalsis causing constipation, reduced cough reflex, and
hypotension.

Indication: Moderate to severe pain when continuous opioid analgesia is needed for extended time period. Not for as-
needed use.

Dosage: -Immediate release: 5mg PO q6hr

-Controlled release: 10-160 mg PO q12hr
-Oxycontin tablets are to be swallowed whole and are not to be broken, chewed, or crushed.
-Not recommended for patients who are <18 years of age.

Route: Oral.

Precautions: -Before using this drug tell your doctor your medical history, especially of severe diarrhea, stomach or
intestinal disorders, breathing problems, kidney or liver disease, history of alcohol abuse, drug
dependence and of any allergies.
-Alcoholic beverages may increase the effects of this drug causing dizziness or lightheadedness.
-Use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving.
-The elderly may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug.
-The medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
-Oxycontin is excreted into breast milk.

Side Effects: Dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, drowsiness, sweating, flushing, or stopping of the cough reflex.

Adverse -Somnolence, constipation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, pruritus, headache, dry mouth, sweating,asthenia,
Effects: respiratory depression/arrest, hypotension.
-Overdosage may cause bradypnea, irregular,shallow breathing; sedation; coma; mitosis; cyanosis;
gradual drop in blood pressure; oliguria; clammy skin; and hypothermia.
-Chronic overdosage symptoms seen in drug abusers nuclide very small pupils, constipation, mood
changes, reduced level of alertness, skin infections, pruritus, needle scars, and abscesses.
-Respiratory rate and sleepiness are the variables most closely watched for signs of overdosage.

Contraindications: Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to oxycodone, or in any situation where opioids are
contraindicated. This includes patients with significant respiratory depression (in unmonitored settings or
the absence of resuscitative equipment), and patients with acute or severe bronchial asthma or
hypercarbia. OxyContin is contraindicated in any patient who has or is suspected of having paralytic ileum.

Patient Education: -Patient should take this medication as ordered by prescribing health care provider and not change the
dosage. Although this product could cause addiction, it is most effective when taken before the patient has
severe pain.
-If the patient is not feeling a lot of pain, other methods for getting rid of pain should be used whenever
possible.
-The patient should not take any other medications without telling the nurse, physician, or other health care
provider. Alcohol increases the effect of the medication, and taking both of them together may cause a
problem.
-Patient taking this medicine should not operate heavy machinery, drive, or perform tasks that require
alertness.
-The patient should urinate often and prevent constipation by increasing fluid intake and adding extra fiber
to diet.
-The patient should get up slowly from lying or sitting positions to decrease feelings of lightheadedness
and should avoid standing in one position for long periods.
-When taking the first doses of opioids, the patient should lie down for a short period to prevent nausea.
-The patient should take this medication exactly as prescribed, and should make an effort to wait for longer
periods of time between doses if the medication is taken for a long time. The patient should write down the
time when the medication was last taken to prevent taking too much medication by accident.
-This medication must be kept out of the reach of children and all others for whom it is not prescribed. All
extra medication should be thrown away when there is no longer any need for it; it should not be kept for
another time.

References:
-http://www.empr.com/narcotic-analgesics/oxycontin/drug/6569/
-http://www.pdr.net
-http://www.pepidonline.com
-Introduction to clinical Pharmacology, 6th Edition; Edmunds