OxyContin Oral

OxyContin Oral Uses

This drug is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain (e.g., cancer pain). This medication acts on certain centers in the brain to give you pain relief. It is a long-acting narcotic pain reliever (opiate-type).

This medication should not be used as needed for mild pain which will go away in a few days or for prevention of pain after surgery. If you have not been on this medication before surgery, you should not use it for acute pain in the first 12 to 24 hours after surgery.

How To Use OxyContin Oral

See also Warning section.

Take this medication by mouth, usually twice daily (every 12 hours) or as directed by your doctor. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets. Take this drug either always with food, or always on an empty stomach (one hour before or two hours after a meal). If you have nausea, you may take this drug with food. If nausea persists or worsens, consult your doctor or pharmacist about alternatives for decreasing nausea (e.g., antihistamines, lying down for 1-2 hours with minimal head movement).

Read the Patient Information Leaflet available from your pharmacist. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. The dosage is based on your medical condition, use of other pain relievers, and response to therapy.

You may take immediate-release narcotic pain medications for acute pain if so directed by your doctor. Also follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instruction for the safe use of non-narcotic pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen).

If you have been using other long-acting narcotic pain medications or narcotic patches regularly, check with your doctor or pharmacist since they may need to be discontinued before starting this medication. If you are currently using a narcotic-containing patch (e.g., fentanyl), the effects may continue after removal of the patch. Ask your doctor or pharmacist when it is safe to start taking this medication (usually 18 hours after removing the patch).