Fast Fact and Concept #080: Oxycontin

2nd Edition

Author(s): Weissman, David E.

Controlled release oxycodone (CRO) has received considerable attention in the lay press over the past several years. Much of the coverage has been negative, related to the illicit use of CRO due to diversion outside of legitimate medical practice. Within legitimate medical practice, CRO is an effective long-acting oral opioid product, very similar to controlled release morphine. This Fast Fact reviews CRO usage in palliative care.

Indication

CRO is indicated for moderate to severe pain requiring continuous, around-the-clock analgesia for an extended period of time.

Pharmacology

Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid that interacts with both mu- and kappa-opioid receptors, but behaves in most respects identically to morphine. CRO has greater oral bioavailability than morphine, and a bi-phasic absorption pattern, with peaks at 37 minutes and 6.2 hours. Peak pain relief occurs in one hour. Unlike morphine, oxycodone has minimally active metabolites, demonstrating little to no analgesic or anti-analgesic properties. Oxycodone should be used with caution in patients with renal and liver impairment and avoided in hemodialysis patients. CRO can lead to all the traditional opioid side effects. Anecdotal reports suggest less nausea, hallucinosis, and nausea compared to morphine, although these observations have not been substantiated in controlled trials.

Equianalgesic Information

Studies comparing round the clock immediate-release oxycodone to controlled-release oxycodone products demonstrate equivalent results. The conversion factor between morphine and oxycodone has been controversial, but the most commonly accepted data suggests that 30 mg of morphine is equivalent to 20 mg of oxycodone. Since all equianalgesic values are rough guidelines, prescribers need to use their clinical judgment in determining the most appropriate starting dose (see Fast Fact #36).

Dosage

The starting dose of CRO in an opioid naïve patient is 10 mg q12 hours; it can be dose escalated every 24-48 hours (see Fast Fact #20). CRO must be taken intact; pills cannot be cut or crushed without risk of rapid absorption and subsequent overdose. CRO is not approved for rectal administration.

Cost

CRO is more expensive than generic long-acting morphine; there is currently no generic CRO product on the market.

Diversion

CRO has been associated with greater diversion to the illicit drug market than morphine. Illicit users will commonly crush the tablet and then chew, snort, or dissolve the product in water for intravenous injection. CRO can bring $1-per-milligram or more on the illicit market.

Summary

CRO oxycodone is an effective long-acting oral opioid. Due to cost and concerns about diversion, controlled release morphine is the drug of first choice for a long-acting oral opioid product. There are no data that CRO offers any analgesic benefit compared to morphine.

References

1. Kral LA. Commonsense oxycodone prescribing and safety. Pain Treatment Topics. June 2007. Available at: http://www.pain-topics.org/opioid_rx/oxycodone.php#OxyRx . Accessed August 27, 2007.
2. Mucci-LoRusso P, Berman BS, Silberstein PT, et al. Controlled-release oxycodone compared with controlled-release morphine in the treatment of cancer pain: a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study. Eur J Pain. 1998;2:239-249.
3. Principles of analgesic use in the treatment of acute pain and cancer pain. American Pain Society 5 th Ed. 2003
4. Foral PA, Ineck JR, Nystrom KK. Oxycodone accumulation in a hemodialysis patient. South Med J. 2007;100:212-214.
5. Rischitelli DG, Karbowicz SH. Safety and efficacy of controlled-release oxycodone: a systemic literature review. P harmacotherapy. 2002;22:898-904
6. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Results from the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings. Available at: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k5nsduh/2k5Results.pdf . Accessed August 27, 2007.
7. Criteria for Use of Controlled-release Oxycodone. Veteran Affairs Pharmacy Benefits Management. August 2003. Available at: http://www.pbm.va.gov/archive/Oxycodone%20(Rev%20071603).pdf.
8. Criteria for Use of Controlled-release Oxycodone: Treatment Algorithm. Veteran Affairs Pharmacy Benefits Management. August 2003. Available at: http://www.pbm.va.gov/criteria/Oxycodone%20Final%20Algorithm%20(Rev%2020Aug03).pdf. Accessed August 27, 2007.

Fast Facts are edited by Drew A. Rosielle MD, Palliative Care Center, Medical College of Wisconsin. For comments/questions write to: drosiell@mcw.edu. The complete set of Fast Facts is available at EPERC: www.eperc.mcw.edu.

Copyright/Referencing Information: Users are free to download and distribute Fast Facts for educational purposes only. Weissman DE. Fast Fact and Concept #80. Controlled Release Oxycodone. 2nd Edition. October 2007. End-of-Life/Palliative Education Resource Center ( www.eperc.mcw.edu).

Disclaimer: Fast Facts provide educational information. This information is not medical advice. Health care providers should exercise their own independent clinical judgment. Some Fast Fact information cites the use of a product in dosage, for an indication, or in a manner other than that recommended in the product labeling. Accordingly, the official prescribing information should be consulted before any such product is used.

Creation Date: 1/2008

Purpose: Instructional Aid, Self-Study Guide, Teaching

Audience(s)

ACGME Competencies: Medical Knowledge, Patient Care

Keyword(s): Pain>opioids