Oxikodon Actavis
Package leaflet: Information for the user
Oxikodon Actavis 5 mg capsules, hard
Oxikodon Actavis 10 mg capsules, hard
Oxikodon Actavis 20 mg capsules, hard
Oxycodone hydrochloride
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Oxikodon Actavis is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Oxikodon Actavis
3. How to take Oxikodon Actavis
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Oxikodon Actavis
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Oxikodon Actavis is and what it is used for
Oxikodon Actavis is a centrally acting, strong painkiller from the group of opioids.
Oxikodon Actavis is used to treat severe pain, which can only be adequately managed with opioid analgesics.
What you need to know before you take Oxikodon Actavis
Do not take Oxikodon Actavis
- if you are allergic to oxycodone hydrochloride or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
- if you suffer from severely depressed breathing (respiratory depression) with too little oxygen in the blood (hypoxia) and/or too much carbon dioxide (hypercapnia) in the blood.
- if you suffer from severe chronic obstructive lung disease, cor pulmonale (cardiac changes due to chronic overload of lung circulation) or acute, severe bronchial asthma.
- if you suffer from intestinal paralysis (paralytic ileus).
- if you have an acute abdomen or suffer from a delayed gastric emptying.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Oxikodon Actavis
- if you are older or debilitated.
- if your lung, liver or kidney function is severely impaired.
- if you suffer from myxoedema (certain illnesses of the thyroid gland), impaired function of the thyroid gland.
- if you suffer from adrenal insufficiency (Addison´s disease).
- if you suffer from enlargement of the prostate (prostatic hypertrophy).
- if you suffer from alcoholism or are undergoing alcohol withdrawal.
- if you suffer from known opioid‑dependence.
- if you suffer from inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
- in conditions with increased brain pressure such as head injury.
- if you suffer from disturbances of circulatory regulation.
- if you suffer from colic of the bile duct and ureter.
- if you suffer from low blood pressure or reduced blood volume,
- if you suffer from epilepsy or have a seizure tendency.
- if you take MAO inhibitors (for the treatment of depression).
- if you have recently undergone a bowel‑surgery or abdominal surgery.
- if you suffer from an inflammatory bowel disorder.
Please talk to your doctor if any of these apply to you or if any of these conditions applied to you in the past.
Oxikodon Actavis has a primary dependence potential. When used for a long time tolerance to the effects may develop and progressively higher doses may be required to maintain pain control.
Chronic use of Oxikodon Actavis may lead to physical dependence and a withdrawal syndrome may occur upon abrupt cessation. When a patient no longer requires therapy with oxycodone hydrochloride, it may be advisable to taper the dose gradually to prevent symptoms of withdrawal.
When used as directed in patients suffering from chronic pain the risk of developing physical or psychological dependence is markedly reduced and needs to be weighed against the potential benefit. Please discuss this with your doctor.
Increased sensitivity to pain that does not respond to dose increases can rarely develop. If this happens, your doctor will reduce your dose or switch you to an alternative opiod painkiller.
Oxikodon Actavisis not recommendedfor use before an operation or in the 24 hours after an operation.
Oxikodon Actavisshouldbe used with particular care in patients with a history of or present alcohol and drug abuse.
Drinking alcohol whilst taking /…/ may make you feel more sleepy or increase the riskof serious side effects such as shallowbreathing with a risk of stopping breathing, and loss of consciousness. It is recommended not to drink alcohol while you’re taking Oxikodon Actavis
Please refer to section 4 “Possible side effects” for information on counteractive measures which may be used to ease certain side effects.
Children and adolescents
Oxikodon Actavis has not been investigated in children under 12 years. Safety and efficacy have not been established and therefore use in children under 12 years of age is not recommended.
Elderly patients
In elderly patients without impairment of kidney and/or liver function a dose adjustment is usually not necessary.
Other medicines and Oxikodon Actavis
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
- Medicines that dampen the activity of the central nervous system, e.g.
- sleeping pills or tranquillizers (sedatives, hypnotics)
- other medicines that act on the nervous system (phenothiazines, neuroleptics)
- medicinse used to treat depression
- muscle relaxants
- medicines used to treat allergies or vomiting (antihistamines, antiemetics)
- other opioids or alcohol
can enhance the side effects of oxycodone, in particular depressed breathing (respiratory depression).
- Medicines with an anticholinergic effect, e.g.
- other medicines that act against parasympathetic and cholinergic nerve fibres on the central nervous system (psychotropic medicines)
- medicines used to treat allergies (antihistamines) or vomiting (antiemetics)
- medicines used to treat Parkinson´s disease
can enhance certain side effects of oxycodone (e.g. constipation, dry mouth or urinary disturbances).
- Macrolide antibiotics, some antifungal and antiviral medicines can increase the effect of oxycodone and so the dose may need to be adjusted if you are taking these medicines.
- Cimetidine (a medicine used to treat heartburns) can inhibit the metabolism of oxycodone.
- Some antiepileptic medicines and also the herbal remedy ‘St John Wort’ can increase the effect of oxycodone
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (a medicine used to treat depression) can enhance the side effects of oxycodone (e.g. excitation, decrease or increase in blood pressure).
- In individuals a clinically relevant increase or decrease of blood clotting have been observed if anticoagulants of the coumarin type (medicines against blood clotting) are co‑applied with oxycodone hydrochloride.
Oxikodon Actavis with food, drink and alcohol
Oxikodon Actavis may be taken with or without food with a sufficient amount of liquid.
Alcohol enhances the impairment of alertness and reactivity and may enhance potential side effects such as drowsiness and depressed breathing.
Grapefruit juice can inhibit the metabolism of oxycodone which will increase its effect. Therefore you should avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking Oxikodon Actavis.
Pregnancy and breast‑feeding
If you are pregnant or breast‑feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Pregnancy
You should avoid Oxikodon Actavis during pregnancy if possible. There are no adequate data from the use of oxycodone in pregnant women. Oxycodone crosses the placenta into the blood circulation of the baby.
Prolonged use of oxycodone during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in newborns. Use of oxycodone during childbirth can cause breathing problems in the newborn.
Breast-feeding
You should not use Oxikodon Actavis when you are breast‑feeding as oxycodone passes into breast milk and may cause breathing problems in the newborn.
Driving and using machines
Oxycodone impairs alertness and reactivity to such an extent that the ability to drive and operate machinery is affected or ceases altogether. To look at the possible side effects affecting the motor skills and concentration see section 4 “Possible side effects”. With stable therapy, a general ban on driving a vehicle may not be necessary. The treating physician must assess the individual situation. Please discuss with your doctor whether or under what conditions you can drive vehicle.
How to take Oxikodon Actavis
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Adults and adolescents over 12 years
The usual starting dose is one 5 mg capsule every 6 hours. However, your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dose and frequency of administration required to treat your pain.
If you find that you are still in pain whilst taking these capsules discuss this with your doctor.
Method of use
Oxikodon Actavis capsules should be swallowed whole with a sufficient amount of liquid.
Oxikodon Actavis should not be taken with alcoholic beverages.
You must only take the capsules by mouth. The capsules contents should never be injected as this may lead to serious side effects, which may be fatal.
[For child resistant blister packs only:]
Instructions for use of child resistant blisters:
1. Do not push the capsule directly out of the pocket
2. Separate one blister cell from the strip at the perforations
3. Carefully peel off the backing to open the pocket
Adults with renal or liver impairment
The usual starting dose is half the recommended dose for adults. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dose based on your clinical situation and by using a more suitable formulation if available.
Use in children
Oxikodon Actavis is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
If you take more Oxikodon Actavis than you should
If you have taken more Oxikodon Actavis than prescribed you should inform your doctor or your local poison control center immediately. The following symptoms may occur: constricted pupils, depressed breathing, muscle weakness and drop in blood pressure. In severe cases circulatory collapse, mental and motor inactivity, unconsciousness, slowing of the heart rate and accumulation of water in the lungs may occur; abuse of high doses of strong opioids such as oxycodone can be fatal. In no case you should expose yourself to situations requiring elevated concentration e.g. driving a car.
If you forget to take Oxikodon Actavis
If you miss a dose you should take the next dose as soon as you remember and then carry on as before. Do not take two doses within 4 hours. Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten capsules.
If you stop taking Oxikodon Actavis
Do not stop treatment without informing your doctor.
When a patient no longer requires therapy with Oxikodon Actavis, it may be advisable to taper the dose gradually to prevent symptoms of withdrawal.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Significant side effects or signs to consider and measures to be taken when these side effects or signs occur:
If you experience any of the following side effects, stop taking Oxikodon Actavis and contact your doctor immediately.
Depressed breathing is the most significant risk induced by opioids and is most likely to occur in elderly or debilitated patients. As a consequence, in predisposed patients opioids can cause severe drops in blood pressure.
Apart from this oxycodone can cause constricted pupils, bronchial spasms and spasms in smooth muscles and suppress the cough reflex.
Other possible side effects
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
- sedation (tiredness to drowsiness)
- dizziness
- headache
- constipation
- feeling sick
- vomiting
- itching
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- loss of appetite
- several psychological side effects such as
- changes in mood (e.g. generalised fear, depression)
- changes in activity (mostly sedation, sometimes accompanied by tiredness, occasionally increase with nervousness and sleep disorders)
- changes in performance (thought process disorder, confusion)
- trembling (tremor)
- wheezing, shortness of breath, hiccups
- dry mouth, stomach pain, diarrhoea, indigestion (dyspepsia)
- rash, increased sweating
- increased urge to urinate
- feeling weak (asthenia)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- allergic reactions
- abnormal production of antidiuretic hormone
- lack of water in the body (dehydration)
- change in perception such as depersonalisation and seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not there (hallucinations), decreased sexual drive, restlessness, extreme emotional behaviour, a feeling of extreme happiness, drug dependence (see section 2)
- increased or decreased muscle tone, coordination disturbances, involuntary muscle contractions, fits; in particular in patients suffering from epilepsy or with a tendency to fits, increased tightness and difficulty in stretching muscles, speech disorders, fainting, tingling or pins and needles (paraesthesia), reduced sense of touch (hypaesthesia), migraine, change in taste, loss of memory
- changes in tear secretion , constriction of the pupil, visual impairment
- abnormally acute sense of hearing (hyperacousis), feeling of dizziness or spinning (vertigo)
- accelerated heart rate, being aware of the heart beat
- widening of the blood vessels (vasodilatation)
- difficulty in breathing, cough, sore throat, runny nose, voice changes
- difficulty swallowing, mouth ulcers, inflammation of the gums, inflamed mouth (stomatitis), wind, belching, intestinal obstruction (ileus)
- increased liver enzymes
- dry skin
- difficulty in passing urine
- impotence
- pain (e.g. chest pain), chills, excessive fluid in the tissues (oedema), feeling unwell, physical dependence with withdrawal symptoms, drug tolerance requiring increased dosage to maintain effect, thirst
- injuries due to accidents
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
- herpes simplex (disorder of the skin and mucosa)
- lymph node disease (lymphadenopathy)
- increased appetite
-
- lowering of blood pressure, dizziness when standing up from a sitting or lying position
- gum bleeding, tarry stools, tooth staining and damage
- itchy skin rash (hives), increased sensitivity to light (photosensitivity)
- muscle spasms
- blood in the urine (haematuria)
- changes in body weight (loss or rise), cellulitis
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):
- scaly rash (exfoliative dermatitis)
Unknown frequency (cannot be estimated from the availible data)
- severe hypersensitivity reactions (anaphylactic reactions)
- aggression
- increased sensitivity to pain which cannot be improved by increaseing the dose
- tooth decay
- pain on the right side of the abdomen, itchiness and jaundice caused by inflamation of the gall bladder
- absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhoea)
Counteractive measures:
If you observe any of the above listed side effects your doctor usually will take appropriate measures. The side effect constipation may be prevented by fiber enriched diet and increased intake of fluids. If you are suffering from sickness or vomiting your doctor will prescribe you an appropriate medicine.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.You can also report side effects directly via <to be completed nationally>. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Oxikodon Actavis
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label or carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 30°C.
<[For HDPE container only:]>
Use within 6 months after opening.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Oxikodon Actavis contains
- The active substance is oxycodone hydrochloride.
- The other ingredients are: Capsule content: microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate. Capsule shell: Gelatine, sodium laurilsulfate, titanium dioxide (E71), iron oxide yellow (E172), iron oxide red (E172), indigotine (E132). Printing ink: shellac, iron oxide black (E172), potassium hydroxide.
What Oxikodon Actavis looks like and contents of the pack
Oxikodon Actavis 5 mg:
Hard capsules, 14.4 mm in length, with a dark pink body marked with ‘5’ and a brown cap marked with ‘OXY’.
Oxikodon Actavis 10 mg:
Hard capsules, 14.4 mm in length, with a white body marked with ‘10’ and a brown cap marked with ‘OXY’.
Oxikodon Actavis 20 mg:
Hard capsules, 14.4 mm in length, with a light pink body marked with ‘20’ and a brown cap marked with ‘OXY’.
Pack sizes:
Blisters: 10, 14, 20, 28, 30, 50, 56, 90, 98 and 100 capsules
Child resistant blisters : 10, 14, 20, 28, 30, 50, 56, 90, 98 and 100 capsules
Child resistant capsule container: 56, 98, 100 and 250 capsules
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Actavis Group PTC ehf
Reykjavíkurvegur 76‑78
220 Hafnarfjörður
Iceland
Manufacturer
Actavis Group PTC ehf
Reykjavíkurvegur 76‑78
220 Hafnarfjörður
Iceland
Balkanpharma Dupnitsa AD
3 Samokovsko Shosse Str.
Dupnitsa 2600
Bulgaria
Actavis UK Limited
Whiddon Valley,
Barnstaple, North Devon, EX32 8NS,
United Kingdom
This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the EEA under the following names:
This leaflet was last revised in 23 May 2014
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the web site of {MA/Agency}
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