Oxycodone dosage, forms, and strengths

Better known as brand-name Oxycontin, oxycodone is a generic opioid analgesic approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat moderate to severe pain. Healthcare providers may sometimes prescribe oxycodone off-label for conditions such as restless legs syndrome or diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage). Like other opioids, oxycodone relieves pain by slowing down nerve signals in the spine and brain. It is often combined with acetaminophen in a single tablet or capsule. Dosages will vary. Healthcare providers usually prescribe the lowest possible dose for the shortest time possible because of potentially serious side effects, including dependency, opioid abuse, overdose, and withdrawal symptoms. Though doses are individualized, people can expect to take oxycodone tablets or capsules or an oral solution every four to six hours. Extended-release oxycodone is taken once every 12 hours.

Oxycodone forms and strengths

Oxycodone is taken in several oral formulations:

• Capsules: 5 milligrams (mg)

• Tablets: 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg

• Extended-release tablets: 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg

• Oral solution: 5 mg per 5 mL, 100 mg per 5 mL

Oxycodone dosage for adults

Immediate-release oxycodone is only FDA approved to treat moderate to severe pain. Healthcare providers prescribe extended-release oxycodone tablets to treat persistent severe pain. Treatment duration will vary, but the long-term use of opioids is generally avoided. Doses may be tapered at the end of treatment.

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Oxycodone dosage for moderate to severe pain

The FDA has approved immediate-release oxycodone to treat pain that is severe enough to require opioids if other non-opioid treatments cannot successfully manage the pain. Healthcare providers will start with a low dose and gradually increase (titrate) it if necessary. To prevent serious complications of opioid treatment, the goal is to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration.

Standard adult dosage for pain: 5–15 mg immediate-release (IR) tablets, capsules, or oral solution taken every four to six hours to start; doses may change throughout treatment

Maximum adult dosage for pain: Not specified

Oxycodone dosage for persistent severe pain

Extended-release oxycodone tablets are used to treat severe chronic pain that requires round-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment. Extended-release oxycodone is only prescribed when other treatment options, including immediate-release oxycodone, do not provide effective pain management.

Standard adult dosage for pain: 10 mg extended-release (XR) tablets taken every 12 hours to start; doses may change throughout treatment

Maximum adult dosage for pain: Not specified

Oxycodone dosage for children

Immediate-release oxycodone is not FDA approved for use in children or teens. However, healthcare providers may prescribe it off-label for pediatric patients with moderate to severe pain. If they do, doses will be based on weight.

Extended-release oxycodone is FDA approved to treat persistent severe pain in children 11 years and older, but only if they have been on opioids for five days or more. The dose will depend on the current dose they’re receiving of the other opiate. 

Oxycodone dosage restrictions

Oxycodone does not have dosage restrictions for kidney insufficiency, liver disease, or advancing age. However, because the liver breaks down oxycodone, and the metabolites are eliminated through the kidneys, healthcare providers will start with a lower initial dose in anyone with renal impairment, hepatic impairment, or seniors. They will increase (titrate) the dose more slowly than they would with other patients.

Oxycodone dosage for pets

Veterinarians may give opioids to cats and dogs to treat severe pain, most typically due to cancer, surgery, joint pain, or lameness. Oxycodone is not commonly prescribed. A veterinarian is more likely to prescribe buprenorphine, oxymorphone, tramadol, fentanyl, or butorphanol. The dosage will be based on the drug and the pet’s body weight. 

How to take oxycodone

Oxycodone is taken by mouth. It is more effective when taken with food. Immediate-release oxycodone doses are spaced four to six hours apart as needed. Extended-release oxycodone is never intended to be used on an as-needed basis. Doses are spaced 12 hours apart.

• Take the medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best.

• An overdose can be dangerous. Follow directions carefully so you do not get too much medicine at one time.

• Take oxycodone with food.

• Swallow oxycodone tablets with enough water to swallow them whole. Do not break, crush, chew, bite, or dissolve oxycodone tablets. Do not wet the tablet before taking it.

• Measure oxycodone oral liquid medicine only with the graduated oral syringe provided with the medicine. If you do not have one, ask the pharmacist for one. Do not use kitchen measuring devices to measure out a dose.

• Ask the prescriber what to do in case of a missed dose and follow those instructions. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. 

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

• Store the medicine in a childproof sealed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. 

Because of the risk of abuse, overdose, or other issues, oxycodone requires that you take a few safety measures. 

• Do not take more medicine than prescribed.

• Do not take oxycodone for longer than prescribed.

• If you’ve been taking oxycodone or other opioids for a few weeks, do not stop taking oxycodone suddenly without talking to the doctor. Sudden discontinuation of opioid treatment might cause serious withdrawal symptoms.

• Do not share oxycodone with other people. Sharing or selling oxycodone is against the law.

• Tell the prescribing healthcare provider if you feel urges to take oxycodone more frequently or in greater amounts than instructed.

• The doctor may prescribe naloxone to reverse the effects of an overdose. Follow the doctor’s instructions on the use of this life-saving medication. You or a caregiver may need to carry it with you or keep it at home.

• Always store oxycodone in a childproof sealed container out of reach of children, pets, or other people to prevent accidental ingestion or deliberate misuse.

• Dispose of unused oxycodone safely. Take unused medication in a sealed container to a local drug take-back center. If you don’t know where one is, ask a pharmacist. You can also flush the unused tablets or oral solution down a toilet.

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a list of safe medicine disposal sites at www.fda.gov.

Oxycodone dosage FAQs

Oxycodone vs. oxycodone XR: What’s the difference in doses?

While the daily dose may be the same between immediate-release and extended-release oxycodone, the dosing schedule will vary. Immediate-release oxycodone doses are taken every four to six hours. Extended-release oxycodone is taken every 12 hours. 

How long does it take oxycodone to work?

Immediate-release oxycodone starts relieving pain within 10 to 30 minutes of taking a dose. When taken with food, immediate-release oxycodone achieves its peak effects in about one to two hours. Extended-release oxycodone takes longer to start providing pain relief, around one hour. A dose of oxycodone ER will hit its peak effectiveness four to five hours after taking the dose.

What happens if I miss a dose of oxycodone?

Ask the prescribing healthcare provider or dispensing pharmacist what to do if a dose is missed. Then follow those instructions. You may be told to skip the missed dose. Alternatively, you may be told to take the missed dose when remember if it’s not almost time for the next dose. You may or may not be instructed to wait at least four to six hours to take the next dose. In all cases, never take a larger dose to make up for a missed dose.

How long can you take oxycodone?

Healthcare providers try to limit the treatment duration when prescribing opioids because of the risk of dependence and misuse. Although there is no limit on treatment duration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that there are no pain relief benefits if opioid medications are taken for longer than a year. 

How do I stop taking oxycodone?

Do not stop taking oxycodone except when told to do so by a doctor. The doctor may need to taper the dose to prevent opioid withdrawal syndrome, a potentially severe and life-threatening medical condition. Like other opioids, oxycodone can cause physical dependence when taken long enough. Symptoms of opioid withdrawal include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, goose flesh, muscle pain, inability to sleep, rapid breathing, fast heartbeats, fever, sweating, high blood pressure, and heightened reflexes.

Can you overdose on oxycodone?

Taking too much oxycodone can be life-threatening. The most common signs of an overdose are extreme sleepiness, pinpoint pupils, slow breathing, and low blood pressure (hypotension). If enough oxycodone is taken, breathing can stop altogether. If an overdose is suspected or there are opioid overdose symptoms, go to an emergency room.

What interacts with oxycodone?

Oxycodone has many drug interactions, but the most important drug interactions involve central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Concomitant use of these drugs with oxycodone could increase the sedative effects of oxycodone, so they should be avoided. In some cases, the combination may be fatal. These drugs include:

• Other opioid drugs

• Alcohol

• Benzodiazepines

• Anxiety medications

• Anticonvulsants

• Muscle relaxants

• Barbiturates

• Sedatives (sleeping pills)

Other types of prescription drugs, called CYP3A4 inhibitors and CYP2D6 inhibitors, slow down the body’s breakdown of oxycodone. Combining these drugs can worsen the effects of oxycodone, raise the risk of respiratory depression, and worsen oxycodone’s adverse effects, such as constipation. The list of these drugs is long, so ensure the prescriber knows about all drugs and supplements being taken before taking oxycodone pills. 

Another type of drug called CYP3A4 inducers can speed up the body’s metabolism of oxycodone. That means oxycodone may have reduced effectiveness as an analgesic. There’s also an increased risk of opioid withdrawal if one of these drugs is started in the middle of therapy. Again, tell the prescriber about any drug you plan to take while on oxycodone.

Finally, there’s a risk of a potentially severe complication called serotonin syndrome when opioids are taken with certain drugs, such as antidepressants, SSRIs, SNRIs, and MAOIs.

Is it safe to take oxycodone during pregnancy?

Although the risk of birth defects or pregnancy problems appears low, healthcare providers are reluctant to use oxycodone during pregnancy. This is especially true immediately before or after labor. When opioids are used close to the birth of a child, there’s a high risk of the baby being born with slow or stopped breathing or withdrawal symptoms.

Is it safe to take oxycodone while breastfeeding?

The use of oxycodone in women who are breastfeeding is generally avoided. Oxycodone passes into human breast milk and is known to make nursing babies drowsy or sedated. These effects are stronger in newborns. In high enough concentrations, the nursing infant may show signs of severe CNS depression. When taking oxycodone, a woman should monitor the infant closely and immediately tell a healthcare professional if the baby shows unusual drowsiness, limpness, or slow breathing.

Related resources for oxycodone dosages:

• Analgesics used in animals, Merck Veterinary Manual

• Oxycodone, Drugs and Lactation Database

• Oxycodone adult dosing, Epocrates

• Oxycodone hydrochloride solution prescribing information, U.S. National Library of Medicine

• Oxycodone hydrochloride tablet film-coated, extended-release prescribing information, U.S. National Library of Medicine

• Oxycodone hydrochloride tablet prescribing information, U.S. National Library of Medicine