Oxycodone controlled release dosage

Oxycodone, a controlled-release dosage form, is sometimes crushed by abusers to get the full 12-hour effect almost immediately. Snorting or injecting the crushed tablet can lead to overdose and death. 

Gabrail NY, Dvergsten C, Ahdieh H. Establishing the dosage equivalency of oxymorphone extended release and oxycodone controlled release in patients with cancer pain a randomized controlled study. CurrMed Res Opin. 2004 20 911-918. 

Dosages and routes of administration Oxycodone is given by mouth in single doses of 5-10 mg or as controlled release preparations with doses of 40 mg (Cairns, 2001). Rectal administration is also possible. Oral formulations often contain combinations with paracetamol or acetylsalicylic acid. 

Observational studies In patients with moderate to severe cancer pain taking OxyContin (controlled-release oxycodone hydrochloride), adverse reactions occurred in 25% in the first week and the incidence gradually fell with time, to 12% in the 8th week [132 ]. The most common adverse effects reported in the first week were constipation (26%), nausea (13%), vomiting (6.2%), dizziness (5%), and lethargy (3.7%). Other effects included dysuria, fatigue, headache, pruritus, and thirst. There was a similar pattern at 8 weeks. Five patients had delusions after dosage reduction or withdrawal, and another had delirium on days 2 and 3. The authors suggested that the adverse effects of OxyContin could be reduced with preventive medication. 

OxyContin tablets are designed to provide controlled delivery of oxycodone over 12 hours. Oxycodone release from OxyContin tablets is pH-independent. Oxycodone is well absorbed from OxyContin tablets with an oral bioavailability of 60% to 87%. The relative oral bioavailability of OxyContin to immediate-release oral dosage forms is 100%. Steady-state levels are achieved within 24-36 hours in normal volunteers after repeated dosing in pharmacokinetic studies. 

---