How Long Does Oxycodone Take to Work?
Medically reviewed by Femi Aremu, PharmD
Oxycodone is an orally administered prescription opioid pain medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. It can be further classified as a semi-synthetic narcotic analgesic.
If you are prescribed oxycodone for pain relief, you will want to know how long it will take to work.
Oxycodone immediate-release (IR) formulations will start working quickly, reaching the maximum effect within 60–80 minutes. However, extended-release (ER) versions take longer to work.
Read on for more information regarding how quickly oxycodone begins to work, alongside the factors that may affect its onset of action.
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Oxycodone for Pain Management
Opioid pain medications, also referred to by other terms such as narcotics or opioid analgesics, are used to treat pain that is not relieved by less powerful drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
For people with chronic (long-term) pain stemming from conditions that include cancer pain or the surgery recovery process, non-opioid medication treatment options are preferred, along with non-medicinal methods like physical therapy.
However, in some cases, when these alternative measures do not provide enough pain relief, an opioid pain medicine may be necessary.
Oxycodone is labeled by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a Schedule II drug due to its high potential for misuse, abuse, and dependence.
How Oxycodone Works
Opioids bind to receptors in the brain, which help reduce pain. They can be effective and safe when used as directed under the care of a healthcare provider.
What Oxycodone Treats
Opioids can be used to treat various types of pain, including:
Acute pain: Short-term pain, such as from a surgery, injury, or other short-term problems that require intense pain relief
Chronic pain: This type of pain is long-term pain, generally for three months or more, and may be due to specific injuries or health conditions like cancer
Some healthcare providers will be prescribed an IR medication, such as IR oxycodone, that can be taken for severe pain as needed.
Others will require round-the-clock pain management, taking an ER formulation of an opioid (such as OxyContin) at regular intervals and an IR medication in between for breakthrough pain that occurs between doses of ER medicine.
How Long Do Different Oxycodone Forms Last?
Before we talk about how long oxycodone takes to work, let's review some of its most common formulations:
IR oxycodone tablet, ER oxycodone capsule, or oxycodone oral solution (liquid): These formulations work quickly but do not last as long in the body. Because of this, they are generally prescribed to be taken every four to six hours if needed. These formulations may be taken with food, but this is not required.
The ER tablet OxyContin lasts longer in the body, so it is generally prescribed to be taken every 12 hours. OxyContin can be taken with or without food and with a full glass of water.
The ER capsule Xtampza ER also lasts longer in the body and is usually prescribed to be taken regularly every 12 hours. This formulation should always be taken with food and in the same amount each time. This ensures that the drug is absorbed the same way each time.
Oxycodone in Other Products
Oxycodone is also available in combination products, such as Percocet, a drug that combines oxycodone and acetaminophen to treat moderate to moderately severe pain.
How Long Does Oxycodone Take to Work?
After taking a dose of IR oxycodone, the medication will start to work quickly.
The IR tablet or capsule will reach its maximum effect in about 80 minutes. Conversely, the oral liquid takes about 60 minutes to reach its maximum effect.
The pain relief from one dose of IR oxycodone will last for about three to four hours and is generally prescribed to be taken every four to six hours if needed.
How Quickly Will OxyContin Work?
OxyContin is a commonly prescribed brand-name form of oxycodone.
OxyContin is prescribed for the treatment of moderate to severe pain resulting from arthritis and cancer, among other conditions. It is unsanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and can be abused for the creation of a euphoric effect that is similar to that of heroin use.
A dose of OxyContin reaches its maximum effect in about four to five hours and is designed to release its medication over 12 hours.
After 24–36 hours, a steady state is reached, meaning that drug levels stay relatively stable because you continue to take the medication every 12 hours. So even when it is eliminated from the body, you are taking more, leading to even levels in the body (this medication is taken every 12 hours rather than on an as-needed basis).
Food does not affect how OxyContin is absorbed. Therefore, you can take it with or without food.
How Quickly Will Xtampza ER Work?
Xtampza ER is a brand-name medication for ER oxycodone. It is used for managing pain severe enough to require long-term, round-the-clock treatment with an opioid.
A dose of Xtampza ER reaches its maximum effect in about five hours and is designed to release its medication over 12 hours.
Like OxyContin, Xtampza ER reaches a steady state in 24–36 hours, so levels will remain steady in the body. Xtampza ER should be taken with the same amount of food each time.
This is because this medication is affected by the type and amount of food you eat, so eating the same amount with each dose will ensure you get the same amount every time.
Side Effects and Safety
All opioids, including oxycodone, carry a boxed warning—the most severe warning required by the FDA.
The warning notes that oxycodone can lead to addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death.
People who take oxycodone will be closely monitored by their healthcare provider.
Common Side Effects
Like all drugs, oxycodone carries the potential for side effects of varying severity.
Common side effects associated with the use of oxycodone include:
Severe Side Effects
Severe side effects associated with the use of oxycodone include:
Contact your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the aforementioned severe side effects.
Furthermore, dial 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you're having a medical emergency.
Signs of a medical emergency may include shortness of breath, tachycardia (a rapid heartbeat), chest pain, extreme drowsiness, lightheadedness when standing up, high body temperature, muscle stiffness, confusion, or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat.
Potential for Interaction
Your healthcare provider will closely examine your medical history before prescribing oxycodone, including all active drug prescriptions.
If taken simultaneously, oxycodone and select medications can result in severe side effects, such as the slowing down of the central nervous system (CNS), extreme sedation, breathing problems, coma, and in some cases, the potential for death.
Some examples of interacting substances and drugs include:
Benzodiazepines for anxiety such as Xanax (alprazolam)
Medications used for sleep, such as Ambien (zolpidem)
How Effective Is Oxycodone?
According to the results of a meta-analysis (a review of multiple studies), experts found oxycodone to be more effective than other potent opioids, including morphine and codeine for treating cancer pain.
Moreover, it was also found to cause less nausea and constipation than other opioids.
In comparison, a study found oxycodone and the use of morphine to be similar in effectiveness and corresponding side effects.
Safely Taking Oxycodone
The following provides basic, overarching guidance regarding the safe use of oxycodone:
Before taking oxycodone, discuss all of your medical conditions and medications with your healthcare provider. Let them know if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
You should not use oxycodone while breastfeeding because the use of oxycodone during pregnancy could cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby.
Take oxycodone exactly as directed. Do not take more medication than the healthcare provider instructs you to. If you miss a dose of oxycodone, take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Do not double up on doses.
If the medication is not working as expected, consult your healthcare provider for guidance on the next steps. If you think you took too much oxycodone, immediately dial 911 or seek attention via the emergency room.
Avoid alcohol while taking oxycodone. Do not drive until you know how this medication affects you.
If you take OxyContin, swallow the tablet whole. Do not cut, chew, crush, break, or dissolve the tablet. Conversely, if you take Xtampza ER, swallow the capsule whole, or you may sprinkle the capsule's contents onto a soft food or into a cup and consume it right away.
Summary
Oxycodone is an orally administered pain medication, also known as a semi-synthetic narcotic analgesic.
It is taken to relieve pain severe enough to require opioid treatment and when other pain medicines are insufficient or intolerable.
The DEA classifies oxycodone as a Schedule II drug due to its high potential for misuse, abuse, and dependence.
Pain relief occurs quickly when taking the IR formulation, such as a tablet or capsule. You will generally notice the medication exerts its maximum effect at around 80 minutes.
If you take an extended-release formulation such as OxyContin or Xtampza ER, after 24–36 hours, the medication will reach a steady level in your body.
You can consult your healthcare provider for more information and any questions you have about oxycodone.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
