Oxycodone

Oxycodone is an analgesic, anxiolytic, and psychotropic agent from the opioid class, used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain.‍‍‍‍‍‍​​​‍​​​​​​ Its effects are based on binding to central and peripheral μ-opioid receptors. Both extended-release and immediate-release dosage forms are available. Oxycodone is administered orally and parenterally, and the dose is individually adjusted. The most common possible adverse effects include dizziness, headache, drowsiness, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and pruritus. Oxycodone can cause dependence during pain therapy and is subject to abuse as a recreational drug. Withdrawal symptoms may occur upon discontinuation. Overdose is life-threatening. The active substance is metabolized by CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 and has a high interaction potential. Oxycodone (ATC N02AA05) has analgesic, pain-distancing, sedative, anxiolytic, antitussive, and psychotropic properties. Its effects are primarily based on binding to μ-opioid receptors in the central nervous system. Oxycodone is a pure agonist without antagonistic properties and is considerably more potent than morphine. It has a short half-life of approximately 3.2 hours (immediate-release formulations). Mechanism of action of opioids, click to enlarge. Illustration © PharmaWiki