OxyNorm capsules contain oxycodone hydrochloride. Oxycodone belongs to a group of medicines called opioid analgesics. The capsules are used to provide the short-term management of severe pain for adults over 18 years when other treatment options have failed or are otherwise inappropriate to provide sufficient management of pain.
Oxycodone is an opiate painkiller. It's used to treat severe pain, for example after an operation or a serious injury, or pain from cancer. It is also known by the brand names OxyNorm and OxyContin.
It's also used for other types of long-standing pain when weaker painkillers, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, and aspirin, have not worked.
OxyNorm is only available on prescription. It comes as slow-release tablets, capsules, and a liquid that you swallow. It can also be given by injection, but this is usually done in the hospital.
It's sometimes given as a tablet which also has a medicine called naloxone in it. This is used to prevent certain side effects, such as constipation.
OxyNorm can be taken by adults and children aged 1 month and older.
Babies, young children, and older people are more likely to get side effects.
OxyNorm is not suitable for some people. Tell your doctor before starting this medicine if you:
Do not break, crush, chew or suck slow-release tablets. If you do, the slow-release system will not work and the whole dose might get into your body in one go. This could cause an overdose.
Will my dose go up or down? Once your pain is under control, your doctor may prescribe slow-release tablets. This may cut down the number of doses you have to take each day.
When you stop taking, your doctor will gradually reduce your dose, especially if you've been taking it for a long time.
What if I forget to take it?
This will depend on which type of OxyNorm you're taking.
If you forget to take a dose, check the information that comes with the medicine or ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice.
Never take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten one.
If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask a pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember to take your medicine.
It's important not to take more than your prescribed dose, even if you think it's not enough to relieve your pain. Speak to your doctor first, if you think you need a different dose.
you take too much OxyNorm
If you go to A&E, do not drive yourself – get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.
Take the OxyNorm box or leaflet inside the packet plus any remaining medicine with you.
If you're prescribed oxycodone, it's really important that you:
store it properly and safely at home.
keep it out of the sight and reach of children.
do not give your medicine to anyone else.
It's safe to take OxyNorm with paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin (do not give aspirin to children under 16 years of age).
Do not take OxyNorm with painkillers that contain codeine. You will be more likely to get side effects.
Painkillers that contain codeine include co-codamol (codeine and paracetamol), Nurofen Plus (codeine and ibuprofen), co-codaprin (codeine and aspirin) and Solpadeine (codeine, paracetamol, ibuprofen and caffeine).
Like all medicines, OxyNorm can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones. The higher the dose also, the more chance that you will get side effects.
Common side effectsCommon side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:
Serious side effects happen in less than 1 in 100 people. Call a doctor if you have: