Respiratory depression
The major risk of opioid excess is respiratory depression. The respiratory depression effect of oxycodone is due to inhibition of the carbon dioxide stimulating effect on the respiratory centres in the medulla oblongata. This effect may lead to respiratory failure, particularly in patients with impaired lung capacity due to lung disease or exposure to other medicinal products (see also section 4.5)
Sleep-related breathing disorders
Opioids may cause sleep-related breathing disorders including central sleep apnoea (CSA) and sleep-related hypoxemia. Opioid use may increase the risk of CSA in a dose-dependent manner in some patients. Opioids may also cause worsening of pre-existing sleep apnoea (see section 4.8). In patients who present with CSA, consider decreasing the total opioid dosage.
Gastrointestinal motility and surgery
Oxycodone increases smooth muscle tone in the gastrointestinal tract, causing constipation with delayed intestinal passage of food (see section 4.8). Should paralytic ileus be suspected or occur during use, this medicinal product should be discontinued immediately. As with all opioid preparations, oxycodone products should be used with caution following abdominal surgery as opioids are known to impair intestinal motility and should not be used until the physician is assured of normal bowel function.
Oxycodone Hydrochloride is not recommended for pre-operative use or within the first 12-24 hours post-operatively. The post-operative treatment initiation with Oxycodone Hydrochloride must be evaluated for each individual patient based on the type and extent of surgery, the method of anaesthesia, concomitant use of other drugs and the patient's condition. Increased smooth muscle tone also causes pressure increase in the biliary and urinary tracts, hence oxycodone is less suitable for biliary or urinary tract spasms.
Special populations
Caution should be exercised in the treatment of debilitated elderly, patients with severe pulmonary, renal or hepatic impairment, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, myxoedema, Addison's disease, toxic psychosis, hypotonia, prostate hypertrophy, adrenocortical insufficiency, alcoholism, delirium tremens, biliary tract diseases, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, hypotension, hypovolemia, head injuries (due to the risk of increased intracranial pressure) or patients treated with MAO inhibitors, benzodiazepines, other CNS depressants (including alcohol) or who have been treated with MAO inhibitors the last two weeks (see section 4.5). There may be a need to reduce the dose (see also section 4.2).
Hepatobiliary disorders
Oxycodone may cause dysfunction and spasm of the sphincter of Oddi, thus increasing the risk of biliary tract symptoms and pancreatitis. Therefore, oxycodone has to be administered with caution in patients with pancreatitis and diseases of the biliary tract.
Oxycodone and sedatives
Concomitant use of oxycodone and sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs may result in sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. Because of these risks, concomitant prescribing with these sedative medicines should be reserved for patients for whom alternative treatment options are not possible. If a decision is made to prescribe oxycodone concomitantly with sedative medicines, the lowest effective dose should be used, and the duration of treatment should be as short as possible (see also general dose recommendation in section 4.2). The patients should be followed closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation. In this respect, it is strongly recommended to inform patients and their caregivers to be aware of these symptoms (see section 4.5).
Other warnings and precautions
The effect of oxycodone may be enhanced after encephalitis.
Oxycodone should not be used in idiopathic or psychopathological pain conditions.
The drug may inhibit the cough reflex.
Opioids, such as Oxycodone Hydrochloride, can affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal or gonadal axes. Some changes that can be seen include increase in serum prolactin, and a decrease in plasma cortisol and testosterone. Clinical symptoms may manifest from these hormonal changes.
Addictive drug
As with all opioids, long-term use of Oxycodone Hydrochloride can cause addiction. Abrupt treatment discontinuation can cause withdrawal syndrome. When a patient no longer needs oxycodone treatment, it is recommended that the dose is gradually reduced to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms may include yawning, mydriasis, lacrimation, rhinorrhoea, tremor, hyperhidrosis, anxiety, restlessness, convulsions and insomnia.
Sudden treatment discontinuation within 24 hours may precipitate the following withdrawal symptoms: restlessness, watery eyes, runny nose, sweating and restless sleep. These symptoms may increase over the next three days.
Opioid Use Disorder (abuse and dependence)
Tolerance and physical and/or psychological dependence may develop upon repeated administration of opioids such as oxycodone.
Repeated use of Oxycodone may lead to Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). A higher dose and longer duration of opioid treatment can increase the risk of developing OUD. Abuse or intentional misuse of Oxycodone may result in overdose and/or death. The risk of developing OUD is increased in patients with a personal or a family history (parents or siblings) of substance use disorders (including alcohol use disorder), in current tobacco users or in patients with a personal history of others mental health disorders (e.g. major depression, anxiety and personality disorders).
Before initiating treatment with Oxycodone Hydrochloride and during the treatment, treatment goals and a discontinuation plan should be agreed with the patient (see section 4.2). Before and during treatment the patient should also be informed about the risks and signs of OUD. If these signs occur, patients should be advised to contact their physician.
Patients will require monitoring for signs of drug-seeking behaviour (e.g. too early requests for refills). This includes the review of concomitant opioids and psycho-active drugs (like benzodiazepines). For patients with signs and symptoms of OUD, consultation with an addiction specialist should be considered.
Tolerance
As with all opioids, the patient may develop tolerance to the medicinal product with chronic use and may need gradually higher doses to maintain pain control.
Hyperalgesia that will not respond to a further dose increase of oxycodone may occur, particularly at high doses. It may be necessary to reduce the oxycodone dose or switch to another opioid.
Alcohol
Concomitant use of alcohol and Oxycodone Hydrochloride may increase the risk of oxycodone side effects.
Concomitant use should be avoided (see section 4.5).
Abuse
Abuse of oral drug formulations by parenteral administration can be expected to result in serious adverse reactions, which may be fatal (see section 4.9).
Important information about excipients
Oxycodone Hydrochloride 10 mg/ml oral solution contains sunset yellow FCF (E 110) which may cause allergic reactions.
Oxycodone Hydrochloride contains 1 mg sodium benzoate in each ml which may increase jaundice in newborn babies (up to 4 weeks old).
This medicinal product contains less than 1 ml sodium (23 mg) per ml, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.