Endocet (Oxycodone) Drug Information
- Why
- How
- Other Uses
- Precautions
- Special Dietary
- If I Forget
- Side Effects
- Storage Conditions
- Overdose
- Other Information
- Brand Names
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Why is this medication prescribed?
Endocet (oxycodone) is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Endocet (oxycodone) is in a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics. It works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain.
Endocet (oxycodone) is also available in combination with acetaminophen (Endocet, Percocet, Roxicet, Tylox, others); aspirin (Endodan, Percodan, Roxiprin, others); and ibuprofen (Combunox). This monograph only includes information about the use of Endocet (oxycodone) alone. If you are taking an Endocet (oxycodone) combination product, be sure to read information about all the ingredients in the product you are taking and ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
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Endocet (oxycodone) comes as a solution (liquid), concentrate solution, tablet, capsule, and extended-release (long-acting) tablet to take by mouth. The solution, concentrated solution, tablet, and capsule are usually taken with or without food every 4 to 6 hours, either as needed for pain or as regularly scheduled medications. The extended-release tablet are usually taken every 12 hours. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Endocet (oxycodone) exactly as directed.
If you are taking the Endocet (oxycodone) concentrate solution, be sure to carefully measure and double check the dose before taking the medication. Use the measuring dropper that comes with the medication to measure your dose. Mix the medication with at least 1 ounce (30 milliliters) of juice or other liquid, or with a semi-solid food such as applesauce or pudding. If you are taking Endocet (oxycodone) concentrate solution from an ampoule (small pre-packaged tube containing Endocet (oxycodone) liquid), be sure to follow your doctor's instructions for taking a dose. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about measuring your dose or taking your medication.
Your doctor will likely start you on a low dose of Endocet (oxycodone) and may increase this dose over time if your pain is not controlled. After you take Endocet (oxycodone) for a period of time, your body may become used to the medication. If this happens, your doctor may need to increase your dose to control your pain. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment with Endocet (oxycodone).
Endocet (oxycodone) can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or take it for a longer period of time than prescribed by your doctor. If you have been taking Endocet (oxycodone) for more than a few days, do not stop taking Endocet (oxycodone) suddenly. If you stop taking this medication suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, yawning, sweating, chills, muscle or joint aches or pains, weakness, irritability, anxiety, depression, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, fast heartbeat, and fast breathing. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually. Call your doctor if you have any withdrawal symptoms when your dose is decreased or when you stop taking Endocet (oxycodone).
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
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Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
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What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking Endocet (oxycodone):
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Endocet (oxycodone), codeine (in many pain relievers and cough medications), hydrocodone (in Hycodan, in Lortab, in Vicoprofen, others),dihydrocodeine (in Synalgos-DC, others), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Endocet (oxycodone) liquid, tablets, or capsules. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: antidepressants; antihistamines; buprenorphine (Buprenex, Subutex, in Suboxone); butorphanol (Stadol); medications for mental illness, nausea, or seizures; other medications for pain, especially narcotics; muscle relaxants; nalbuphine (Nubain); naloxone (Narcan); nalmefene (Revex); pentazocine (Talwin); sedatives;sleeping pills, ortranquilizers; Also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the following medications or if you have stopped taking them within the past two weeks: isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, lung disease, slowed breathing, or paralytic ileus (condition in which digested food does not move through the intestines). Your doctor may tell you not to take Endocet (oxycodone).
- tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol and if you use or have ever used street drugs, or if you have overused prescription medications. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a head injury,a tumor in your brain or nervous system, any condition causing increased pressure in your brain; hypothyroidism (condition in which the thyroid gland produces less hormone than normal), hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist); delirium tremens (severe withdrawal symptoms that may occur in people who drank large amounts of alcohol over time and have stopped drinking); kyphoscoliosis (curving of the spine that may cause breathing problems)low blood pressure;Addison's disease (condition in which the adrenal gland does not produce enough hormone), seizures; urethral stricture (blockage of the tube that allows urine to leave the body), enlarged prostate (a male reproductive gland), or heart, kidney,liver, or pancreas, or biliary tract disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Endocet (oxycodone), call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Endocet (oxycodone).
- you should know that this medication may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car, operate heavy machinery, or participate in any other possibly dangerous activities until you know how this medication affects you.
- ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking Endocet (oxycodone). When alcohol is taken with this medication, dangerous side effects can occur.
- you should know that Endocet (oxycodone) may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. To help avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.
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What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
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What should I do if I forget a dose?
If you are taking Endocet (oxycodone) on a regular schedule, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
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What side effects can this medication cause?
Endocet (oxycodone) may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms, are severe or do not go away:
- nausea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- constipation
- dry mouth
- lightheadedness
- drowsiness
- flushing
- sweating
- itching
- weakness
- headache
- mood changes
- decrease in pupil (dark circle in eye) size
- red eyes
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
- fast or slow heartbeat
- difficulty breathing
- slowed breathing
- hives
- rash
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- hoarseness
- difficulty swallowing
- hallucinating (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
- seizures
- confusion
- fainting
- dizziness
- loss of consciousness
Endocet (oxycodone) may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
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What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light and excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Throw away Endocet (oxycodone) concentrate solution 90 days after you open the product. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
Keep Endocet (oxycodone) in a safe place so that no one else can take it accidentally or on purpose. Keep track of how much liquid or how many tablets or capsules are left so you will know if any medication is missing.
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In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
- difficulty breathing or slowed or stopped breathing
- excessive sleepiness
- dizziness
- fainting
- limp or weak muscles
- increase or decrease in pupil (dark circle in the eye) size
- cold, clammy skin
- slow or stopped heartbeat
- blue color of skin, fingernails, lips, or area around the mouth
- loss of consciousness or coma
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What other information should I know?
If you are taking the extended-release tablets, you may notice something that looks like a tablet in your stool. This is just the empty tablet shell, and this does not mean that you did not get your complete dose of medication.
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Selling or giving away this medication may cause severe harm or death to others and is illegal.
This prescription is not refillable. If you continue to experience pain after you finish the Endocet (oxycodone), call your doctor.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
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Brand Names
- Dazidox®
- Endocodone®
- ETH-Oxydose®
- Oxycontin®
- Oxyfast®
- OxyIR®
- Percolone®
- Roxicodone®