Medicine pack check sheet

Source-linked reading points

• OXYCONTIN is an extended-release tablet and must be swallowed whole. Cutting, breaking, chewing, crushing or dissolving can defeat the controlled release and expose a person to a potentially fatal oxycodone dose; the label does not describe a self-splitting score. If swallowing is difficult, do not alter the tablet—contact the prescriber or pharmacist.
• Serious, life-threatening or fatal respiratory depression can occur and requires particular professional monitoring after initiation or change. Older, frail people, those with chronic lung disease or reduced respiratory reserve, and anyone with unusual sleepiness, difficulty waking, slow or shallow breathing, blue lips or altered consciousness need priority attention; severe signs require local emergency services immediately.
• Benzodiazepine sleeping/anxiety medicines, other sedative-hypnotics, other opioids, anaesthetics, some antipsychotics, gabapentinoids and alcohol can increase profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death when present with OXYCONTIN. Separating clock times does not establish safety; place every prescription, OTC medicine, alcohol exposure and supplement on one list for a clinician or pharmacist.
• The label restricts 60 mg, 80 mg and certain higher-exposure situations to people with established opioid tolerance. Prior pain-medicine use, body weight, a pain score or leftover tablets cannot let a webpage establish tolerance; do not self-escalate strength, convert another opioid or use another person's medicine.