OXYCODONE

Course overview

OXYCODONE IS A POTENT OPIOID WHICH CAN BE USEFUL WHEN USED JUDICIOUSLY FOR PAIN. HOWEVER, IT CAN CAUSE PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE AND ADDICTION. THE IMMEDIATE-RELEASE FORMULATION OF OXYCODONE IS FDA APPROVED FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE OR CHRONIC MODERATE TO SEVERE PAIN FOR WHICH THE USE OF OPIOID MEDICATION IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE AND FOR WHICH OTHER PAIN MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ARE INSUFFICIENT. THE EXTENDED-RELEASE FORMULATION IS FDA APPROVED FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PAIN SEVERE ENOUGH TO REQUIRE CONTINUOUS LONG-TERM OPIOID TREATMENT AND FOR WHICH THERE ARE NO ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS TO TREAT THE PAIN. THE OXYCODONE TO MORPHINE DOSE EQUIVALENT RATIO IS APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 1.5 FOR IMMEDIATE-RELEASE AND 1 TO 2 FOR EXTENDED-RELEASE FORMULATIONS. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE INDICATIONS, SIDE EFFECTS, AND CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR OXYCODONE AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN HELPING PATIENTS MANAGE THEIR PAIN.