Oxycodone is a very powerful analgesic (more than Tramadol) whose use is increasing worryingly in France. Its involvement in toxic deaths by analgesics has quadrupled.
I’oxycodone is a drug opioid classified as “strong”, such as morphine. “These last years its prescription in France follows a worrying progression while it does not present a pharmacological advantage compared to morphine” alert her French Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutics on May 22, 2023. On the other hand, oxycodone has a more important and lasting dopaminergic action than morphinewhich could be associated with a more addictogenic profile. “Its involvement in toxic deaths by painkillers has quadrupled between 2013 and 2017.” In 2019, I’ANSM confirmed a increased misuse of oxycodone, including poisonings and deaths.
Definition: what is oxycodone?
Oxycodone, its chemical name dihydro-oxycodeinonebelongs to the family of opioid analgesics. It’s a analgesic very powerful, synthetic derivative of a naturally occurring alkaloid present in opium: thebaine. It’s a narcotic drug, more potent than codeine and with a addiction risk also more important. In its raw form, oxycodone is a odorless white powder.
| Weak opioid analgesics | Strong opioid analgesics |
|---|---|
tramadol codeine opium powder | morphine oxycodone fentanyl |
What medications contain oxycodone?
The main drugs containing oxycodone areOxycontin® and Oxynorm®.
What are the effects of oxycodone?
Oxycodone reduces pain by acting on the central nervous system. Its effects are: analgesics, anxiolytics, antitussives and sedatives. Because oxycodone is exclusively a opioid receptor agonist, its analgesic effect is related to the dose administered without there being a maximum dose, as long as the adverse effects are controlled.
What are the side effects of oxycodone?
Oxycodone has many side effects, some of which can be potentially serious. Among the most common are:
- of the digestive disorders (abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting),
- of the central nervous system disorders (drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, headache, insomnia, nightmares, hallucinations, anxiety, depression, mood swings, tremors),
- of the itching or a rash,
- loss of appetite,
- heavy sweating,
- a dry mouth,
- urinary retention or urination disorders,
- breathing difficulties or bronchial spasms,
- hypotension.
Oxycodone can also cause poisoning symptoms, such as a respiratory depression can be fatal, dilation of the pupil, A slow heart rate, pulmonary oedema, circulatory failure, or even the drowsiness may progress to a coma. It is therefore essential to avoid any risk of overdose. Similarly, oxycodone can cause abuse, addiction as well as withdrawal symptoms on discontinuation of treatment. Thus in the event of prolonged intake, a gradual reduction in doses (on medical advice) is necessary.
What is the mode of action of oxycodone?
Oxycodone is one of the opioid analgesics. It’s a agonist of kappa-, mu-, and delta-type opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral organs. By binding to these receptors, it activates their therapeutic effects.
Oxycodone may also have a action on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (or gonadal) axis resulting in changes such as increased prolactin in the blood as well as a decreased cortisol and testosterone. These hormonal changes can manifest themselves in various symptoms.
When to take oxycodone?
Oxycodone is indicated in the severe pain which cannot be relieved by lower-level analgesics, such as in the cancer pain.
What is the difference between oxycodone and morphine?
Oxycodone and morphine have a similar mechanism of action. On the other hand, taken orally, the effect of oxycodone on pain is 1.5 to 2 times more potent than that of morphine (depending on the considered dose of morphine for the comparison). However, this difference is not found for the injectable route, the efficacy on pain of oxycodone being similar to that of morphine. In addition, oxycodone has the advantage of having effect on neuropathic pain.
Is it available with or without a prescription?
Oxycodone is a substance listed on the list of narcotic drugs, which can in no case be delivered without a prescription. Additionally, oxycodone should be prescribed by the doctor on a secure prescription, the regulation of narcotics being strictly supervised. THE Oxycodone prescriptions are only valid for a maximum of 28 days.
What are the contraindications of oxycodone?
Alcohol is strongly discouraged during treatment with oxycodone
Oxycodone is contraindicated:
- in case of hypersensitivity to oxycodone or to one of the components present in the medicinal product concerned,
- in case of severe respiratory depression,
- in case of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
- in case of cor pulmonale (damage to the right ventricle),
- or in case ofsevere bronchial asthma,
- in case ofparalytic ileus (slowing down or stopping transit),
- or in case ofacute abdomen (syndrome affecting the abdomen).
Oxycodone should be used with caution, especially in the event of kidney or liver failureof thyroid, bile duct or pancreatic disorders, inflammatory bowel disease or bowel surgery, epilepsy, cerebral hypertension, prostate adenoma, alcoholism or opiate dependence. Alcohol is strongly discouraged during treatment with oxycodone. Oxycodone should be used with caution during pregnancy or breastfeeding as well as in the elderly, but also in the event of simultaneous intake of drugs that may interact or accentuate its undesirable effects.