Oxynorm
OxyNorm is a strong pain medicine used for adults and children aged 12 and older to relieve severe pain when other pain medicines are not enough.
Form
kapseli, kova
Strength
20 mg
Active Ingredient
Oxycodone hydrochloride
Manufacturer
Mundipharma Oy
How to Use
Dosage
The usual starting dose is 5 mg every 6 hours. The time between doses can be shortened to 4 hours if needed.
Method
Take the capsule by mouth, with or without food. Never inject the capsule into a vein, as this can be life-threatening.
Important
Do not take OxyNorm more than 6 times a day.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Dizziness, headache, and drowsiness
- •Constipation, vomiting, and nausea
- •Itching
- •Loss of appetite
- •Mood and personality changes (e.g., anxiety, depression, nervousness, sleep problems, unusual thoughts, confusion)
- •Tremors
- •Shortness of breath
- •Stomach pain, diarrhea, indigestion, dry mouth
- •Rash, excessive sweating
- •Unusual weakness, tiredness
- •Lethargy (a state of sleepiness or deep rest)
RARE
- •Hypersensitivity (allergic reaction)
- •Dehydration
- •Agitation, hallucinations, mood swings, extreme happiness (euphoria), decreased sex drive, medicine dependence
- •Memory loss, seizures, involuntary muscle spasms, unusual muscle tension, decreased pain or touch sensitivity, itching or numbness, speech problems, fainting, taste changes
- •Small pupils, vision problems
- •Vertigo (spinning sensation)
- •Fast or irregular heartbeat (with withdrawal symptoms)
- •Widening of blood vessels
- •Shallow, slow breathing (respiratory depression)
- •Stomach and bowel problems, gas, difficulty swallowing, bowel obstruction, burping
- •Increased liver enzyme levels
- •Dry skin
- •Inability to empty the bladder completely
- •Erectile dysfunction, abnormally low production of sex hormones
- •Swelling in hands, ankles, and feet, thirst, withdrawal symptoms, chills, needing higher doses for the same pain relief (tolerance), feeling unwell
- •Low blood pressure, low blood pressure when standing up (orthostatic hypotension)
- •Hives
- •Severe allergic reactions, allergic reactions
- •Aggression
- •Increased sensitivity to pain
- •Sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep)
- •Tooth decay
- •Colic-like stomach pain or stomach discomfort
- •A problem affecting a sphincter muscle in the intestines, causing severe upper abdominal pain (Oddi's sphincter dysfunction)
- •Missed periods
- •Newborn withdrawal symptoms
Important Warnings
- If you are allergic to oxycodone or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- If you have a disease that causes breathing difficulties or severe asthma.
- If you have heart problems caused by long-term lung disease.
- If your bowel movements are very slow or stopped (paralytic ileus).
- Do not use OxyNorm if you are under 12 years old.
Show 8 more warnings
- If you are elderly or frail.
- If you have an underactive thyroid gland.
- If you have severe liver or kidney problems.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking OxyNorm.
- Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking OxyNorm.
- Avoid using OxyNorm during pregnancy.
- Do not use OxyNorm while breastfeeding.
- This medicine contains oxycodone, which is an opioid and can cause dependence or addiction.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category C
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Sedative. Reduce the dose already in mild renal impairment. Increases the risk of confusion and falling. Need for laxative is often necessary. Consider potential interactions. Avoid grapefruit. (updated 24.3.2025)