Oxycodone 60mg

What is Oxycodone 60mg in Australia

Oxycodone 60mg is a medication widely used in Australia for its analgesic properties. It is a semisynthetic drug derived from morphine and has been utilized for pain relief for over 80 years in Australia. Oxycodone 60mg is available in immediate-release (IR) formulations either as a standalone medication (oxycodone, OxyIR, or Roxicodone) or in combination with other pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Percocet, Endocet, or Roxicet) or aspirin (Percodan or Endodan). Studies have shown that immediate-release oxycodone provides comparable pain relief to the sustained-release version known as OxyContin.

FDA approved

In 2010, the FDA approved a tamper-resistant formulation of OxyContin to make it more challenging to misuse or abuse by altering its physical properties, such as making it harder to break, crush, or dissolve. This formulation aims to reduce the likelihood of misuse and abuse, though ongoing studies are necessary to evaluate its effectiveness.

Sustained-release (SR) oxycodone 60mg exhibits characteristics desirable in an opioid, including the absence of a maximum dose limit, minimal side effects, predictable pharmacokinetics, and a prolonged duration of action. It also allows for easy adjustment of the dosage and has a rapid onset of action. Compared to sustained-release morphine, oxycodone has a longer duration of action, potentially enabling a 12-hour dosing schedule due to its drug delivery system. Moreover, oxycodone is more potent than morphine on a milligram-to-milligram basis and has a shorter onset of analgesic effect with less plasma variation, resulting in fewer side effects such as hallucinations, dizziness, and pruritus.

Oxycodone acts as both an analgesic and a prodrug, undergoing hepatic metabolism to produce oxymorphone, an active metabolite with pain-relieving properties, and noroxycodone, an inactive metabolite. The activity of the cytochrome 2D6 enzyme influences the metabolism of oxycodone, and individuals with low levels of this enzyme may require higher doses of oxycodone for pain relief. Medications that competitively inhibit the 2D6 enzyme may also affect the analgesic efficacy of oxycodone. Additionally, dose adjustments are necessary for individuals with impaired hepatic metabolism or renal dysfunction, and caution is advised when using oxycodone concurrently with certain medications such as SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, or neuroleptics due to potential interactions.

How should this medicine be used?

It’s important to follow the instructions for taking Oxycodone 60mg as directed by your doctor. The medication comes in different forms such as solution, concentrated solution, tablet, capsule, extended-release tablet (Oxycontin), and extended-release capsule (Xtampza ER). The regular tablet and capsule forms can be taken with or without food every 4 to 6 hours, as needed for pain or as part of a regular schedule. The extended-release tablets (Oxycontin) are taken every 12 hours, with or without food. The extended-release capsules (Xtampza ER) should be taken every 12 hours with food, and it’s important to have the same amount of food with each dose.

It’s crucial to carefully follow the directions on your prescription label and ask your doctor or pharmacist about anything you don’t understand. If you are taking the extended-release tablets (Oxycontin), swallow them whole with plenty of water, one at a time. Do not presoak, wet, or lick the tablets before taking them, and do not chew or crush them.

If you have difficulty swallowing the extended-release capsules (Xtampza ER), you can carefully open the capsule and sprinkle the contents onto soft foods like applesauce, pudding, yogurt, ice cream, or jam, and then consume the mixture immediately. Dispose of the empty capsule shells by flushing them down the toilet and do not store the mixture for future use.

For those with a feeding tube, the contents of the extended-release capsules can be poured into the tube. It’s important to discuss with your doctor the appropriate way to take the medication and to carefully follow their directions.