OxyContin (Oxycodone) at a glance: schedule, half-life, and class
- Generic name
- Oxycodone hydrochloride
- Brand names
- OxyContin, Roxicodone, Oxaydo, Xtampza ER; with acetaminophen: Percocet
- Drug class
- Opioid agonist
- US legal status
- Schedule II, prescription only
- Approved uses
- Pain severe enough to require an opioid, when alternatives are inadequate
- Forms
- Immediate-release tablets, capsules, and oral solution; extended-release tablets and capsules
- Onset
- 10 to 30 minutes (immediate release)
- Half-life
- About 3 to 4.5 hours
- Broken down by
- Liver enzymes CYP3A4 and CYP2D6
- Reversal agent
- Naloxone
OxyContin uses: what oxycodone is prescribed for
Oxycodone is FDA-approved for pain severe enough to require an opioid and for which other treatments, such as non-opioid pain relievers, are inadequate. Extended-release forms such as OxyContin are only for severe, persistent pain that needs daily, around-the-clock opioid treatment over a long period.[1]
It works by activating mu-opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which reduces how pain signals are felt. The same receptors control breathing, which is why too much can stop a person breathing.
Combination products such as Percocet also contain acetaminophen, which has its own daily limit and can damage the liver in high doses.
OxyContin dosage: how oxycodone is usually prescribed
The figures below come from the FDA-approved label and describe how prescribers typically use oxycodone. They are not personal dosing advice. A prescriber sets the dose for each person and adjusts it over time.[1]
| Product | Typical starting dose (opioid-naive adults) | Notes from the label |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate-release tablets | 5 to 15 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed | Lowest effective dose for the shortest time |
| Oxycodone with acetaminophen (Percocet) | One tablet every 6 hours as needed | Total acetaminophen must stay under 4,000 mg a day |
| Extended-release (OxyContin) | 10 mg every 12 hours | Not for as-needed use; the highest strengths are for opioid-tolerant patients only |
| Older adults, liver disease | One-third to one-half the usual starting dose | Increase slowly with close monitoring |
The CDC recommends immediate-release opioids at the lowest effective dose for acute pain, usually for three days or less and rarely more than seven, and careful reassessment before any dose increase.[2]
Extended-release tablets must be swallowed whole. Crushing, chewing, or dissolving them releases a potentially fatal dose all at once.
OxyContin (oxycodone) side effects and risks
FDA boxed warnings
- Oxycodone exposes users to risks of addiction, misuse, and abuse, which can lead to overdose and death.
- Life-threatening slowed breathing can occur, especially when starting treatment or after a dose increase.
- Accidental ingestion, especially by children, can cause a fatal overdose.
- Use with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system depressants, including alcohol, can cause profound sedation, slowed breathing, coma, and death.
- Prolonged use during pregnancy can cause neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated.
- Drugs that block CYP3A4, or stopping drugs that speed it up, can raise oxycodone levels and cause a fatal overdose.
Common side effects include constipation, nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, itching, headache, dry mouth, and sweating.[1]
Serious risks include slowed or stopped breathing, severe low blood pressure, adrenal insufficiency, serotonin syndrome with some antidepressants, and increased sensitivity to pain (opioid-induced hyperalgesia).[1]
OxyContin interactions: what not to mix with oxycodone
Choose what it would be combined with:
| Combined with | What happens | Label guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Benzodiazepines (alprazolam, diazepam, clonazepam) | Profound sedation, slowed breathing, coma, death | Boxed warning; avoid unless no alternative |
| Alcohol | Stronger sedation and slowed breathing | Avoid |
| Gabapentin, pregabalin, sleep medicines, muscle relaxants | Additive sedation and breathing problems | Use caution; lower doses |
| Ketoconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir, grapefruit juice | Block CYP3A4 and raise oxycodone levels | Monitor closely; lower dose may be needed |
| Rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin | Lower oxycodone levels; stopping them raises levels | Monitor for withdrawal or overdose |
| SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, MAOIs | Serotonin syndrome | MAOIs: avoid within 14 days |
| Other opioids | Additive breathing suppression | Avoid unless directed by prescriber |
This is not a full list. A pharmacist can check a complete medication list, including supplements and over-the-counter products.[1]
OxyContin overdose: signs of oxycodone overdose and what to do
Signs of an oxycodone overdose include pinpoint pupils, extreme sleepiness or inability to wake up, slow, shallow, or stopped breathing, gurgling or snoring sounds, limp body, and blue or gray lips and fingertips. Overdose risk is highest when oxycodone is combined with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other sedatives, after a period without use, and with counterfeit pills.[1][3]
If someone may have overdosed
- Call 911 if the person is unresponsive, cannot be woken, has blue or gray lips, or is breathing slowly or not at all.
- Give naloxone (Narcan or a generic nasal spray, sold without a prescription) into one nostril. If there is no response after 2 to 3 minutes, give another dose.
- If you are trained, give rescue breaths. Otherwise place the person on their side so they do not choke.
- Stay with them. Naloxone can wear off before oxycodone does, so the overdose can return even after the person wakes up.
- Most states have Good Samaritan laws that protect people who call 911 for an overdose from some drug charges.
Anyone prescribed an opioid can keep naloxone at home. It is sold without a prescription at pharmacies, and many health departments give it free.[3]
OxyContin withdrawal timeline: how long oxycodone withdrawal lasts
People who take oxycodone regularly for more than a few weeks become physically dependent, even when they take it exactly as prescribed. Dependence is not the same as addiction, but it means stopping suddenly causes withdrawal.[1]
- 6 to 12 hoursEarly symptomsAnxiety, restlessness, yawning, sweating, runny nose, watery eyes, and muscle aches.
- Days 1 to 3Peak withdrawalDiarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting, goosebumps, dilated pupils, fast heartbeat, and strong cravings. Rarely dangerous in healthy adults, but dehydration can be serious.
- Days 5 to 10, then weeksLingering symptomsPoor sleep, low mood, low energy, and cravings can continue for weeks. Tolerance falls quickly, which raises the risk of overdose if use restarts.
Warning: After a break, the body loses tolerance within days. Returning to a previous dose of oxycodone can cause a fatal overdose.
The FDA warns against stopping opioids abruptly in people who are physically dependent. A prescriber can taper the dose gradually, often by 10% or less per month for long-term users, and medicines such as clonidine or lofexidine can ease symptoms. For opioid use disorder, buprenorphine and methadone cut the risk of death roughly in half.[2]
How to get prescribed OxyContin (oxycodone) legally in the US
In the United States, oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled substance. The only legal way to get it is with a prescription from a clinician registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), filled by a licensed pharmacy. Depending on state law, that can be a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.[4]
- Refills: Schedule II prescriptions cannot be refilled. A prescriber can write several prescriptions at once, with dates when each may be filled, for up to a 90-day supply in total.[5]
- Telehealth: federal flexibilities let DEA-registered clinicians prescribe Schedule II to V medicines after a telemedicine visit, without a prior in-person exam, through December 31, 2026. A permanent DEA rule was under final review in late 2026. State rules can be stricter.[6]
- Monitoring: prescribers and pharmacists in most states check a prescription drug monitoring program, a database of controlled-substance prescriptions, before prescribing or dispensing.
- Pharmacies: a legitimate pharmacy always requires a valid prescription, has a licensed pharmacist available, and is licensed in the state it ships to. The FDA's BeSafeRx tool and the NABP's safe pharmacy list help confirm a pharmacy is real.[7][8]
- Cost: generic immediate-release oxycodone is inexpensive and covered by most plans; many plans require prior authorization for extended-release forms or high doses.
- Quantity limits: many states and insurers limit first-time opioid prescriptions for acute pain to a 3- to 7-day supply.
Warning: Pills sold as oxycodone, OxyContin, or "M30s" outside a pharmacy are often counterfeit. The DEA reports that fake pills frequently contain fentanyl or methamphetamine, and they cannot be told apart by appearance.[9]
Traveling: keep the medicine in its original pharmacy container and carry a copy of the prescription. Check the rules of the destination country before travel, because many countries restrict controlled medicines or require a permit.
Can you order OxyContin (oxycodone) online legally?
Yes, but only with a valid prescription and only from a pharmacy licensed in your state. Many licensed pharmacies, including mail-order pharmacies run by insurers, fill oxycodone prescriptions online and ship them. Buying oxycodone from a website that does not require a prescription is illegal, and the product is often fake.[7][9]
- See a licensed clinicianA clinician evaluates you in person or by telemedicine and decides whether oxycodone is appropriate.
- The prescription goes to a pharmacyPrescriptions for controlled medicines are usually sent electronically, straight from the prescriber to the pharmacy you choose.
- The pharmacy checks and fills itA pharmacist verifies the prescription and your identity, then dispenses the medicine in person or by mail.
Signs that an online seller is illegal:
- It sells oxycodone with no prescription, or after only a short online questionnaire.
- It takes orders through social media, messaging apps, or email.
- It asks for payment in cryptocurrency, gift cards, or money transfers.
- It has no US street address, no state pharmacy license, and no pharmacist to speak to.
- Its prices are far below those of ordinary pharmacies, or it ships from another country.
The FDA's BeSafeRx tool links to each state's license lookup, and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy lists verified online pharmacies.[7][8]
OxyContin price: how much does OxyContin (oxycodone) cost without insurance?
Generic immediate-release oxycodone is inexpensive and covered by most plans; many plans require prior authorization for extended-release forms or high doses.
What you pay depends on the strength, the number of doses, your insurance plan, and the pharmacy. Cash prices for the same prescription can differ several times over between pharmacies in the same town, so check current prices before you fill it.
Ways to pay less, legally:
- Ask the prescriber whether a generic oxycodone is available. FDA-approved generics work the same way as the brand and usually cost much less.
- Compare cash prices between pharmacies before you fill the prescription.
- Use a free prescription discount card, such as GoodRx or SingleCare, when you pay cash. These cards cannot be combined with insurance on the same fill.
- For brand-name medicines, check the manufacturer's savings program or patient assistance program.
- Check your insurer's mail-order pharmacy, which may charge a lower copay.
Warning: A price far below what licensed pharmacies charge, especially with no prescription required, is a strong sign of an illegal seller and counterfeit medicine.[7]
Is OxyContin legal? Oxycodone legal status in other countries
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Class A; prescription only |
| Canada | Schedule I of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; prescription only |
| Australia | Schedule 8 controlled drug; prescription only |
| International | Schedule I of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs |
Laws change and differ in detail. Check current rules before carrying any controlled medicine across a border.[10]
Common questions about OxyContin (oxycodone)
How long does OxyContin (oxycodone) take to work?
Immediate-release oxycodone usually starts to relieve pain within 10 to 30 minutes and peaks after about 1 hour. Extended-release forms work over 12 hours and are not meant for fast relief.
How long does OxyContin (oxycodone) stay in your system?
Its half-life is about 3 to 4.5 hours, so most of a dose is cleared within a day. Urine tests can usually detect it for 1 to 3 days, and longer after regular use.
What is the difference between oxycodone and OxyContin?
OxyContin is a brand of extended-release oxycodone that lasts about 12 hours. Plain oxycodone tablets are immediate release and last 4 to 6 hours.
Is OxyContin (oxycodone) stronger than hydrocodone?
By weight, oxycodone is roughly 1.5 times as potent as hydrocodone by mouth. Both are Schedule II and carry the same boxed warnings.
Can you buy OxyContin (oxycodone) online legally?
Only with a valid prescription, from a pharmacy licensed in your state. Sites that sell oxycodone without a prescription are illegal, and their pills are frequently counterfeit and contain fentanyl.
Can you buy OxyContin (oxycodone) without a prescription?
No. OxyContin (oxycodone) is a Schedule II controlled substance in the US, so it is illegal to buy or possess it without a valid prescription. Websites and social media sellers that offer it without one are not legal pharmacies, and the DEA warns that pills sold this way are often counterfeit and can contain fentanyl. The legal route is a visit with a licensed clinician, in person or by telehealth, and a prescription filled at a state-licensed pharmacy. The FDA's BeSafeRx tool and the NABP's safe pharmacy list help confirm an online pharmacy is real.
Is it safe to stop OxyContin (oxycodone) suddenly?
After more than a few weeks of regular use, stopping suddenly causes withdrawal. A prescriber can plan a gradual taper.
Sources
- OxyContin (oxycodone) prescribing information. DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine.
- CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain, 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR.
- Information about naloxone and nalmefene. US Food and Drug Administration.
- Controlled Substance Schedules. DEA Diversion Control Division.
- 21 CFR 1306.12, Refilling prescriptions; issuance of multiple prescriptions (Schedule II). Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- Prescribing controlled substances via telehealth. US Department of Health and Human Services.
- BeSafeRx: Your Source for Online Pharmacy Information. US Food and Drug Administration.
- Safe Pharmacy. National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
- One Pill Can Kill. US Drug Enforcement Administration.
- International drug control conventions. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
