Oxycodone: How Should I Use Oxycodone

Content provided by Cerner Multum, Inc.

How should I use oxycodone?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Never take oxycodone in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Take the pill form of this medicine with a full glass of water.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It will release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Measure the liquid form of oxycodone with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

Drink plenty of water daily to help prevent constipation while you are using oxycodone. Ask your doctor about ways to increase the fiber in your diet. Do not use a stool softener (laxative) without first asking your doctor.

Do not stop using oxycodone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

Never crush a tablet or other pill to mix into a liquid for injecting the drug into your vein. This practice has resulted in death with the misuse of oxycodone and similar prescription drugs.

Store this medication at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and light.

Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Oxycodone is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

After you have stopped using this medication, flush any unused pills down the toilet.

Throw away any unused liquid oxycodone that is older than 90 days.

Last updated:	March 26, 2008