What it means
An opioid analgesicOH-pee-oyd an-ul-JEE-zikA strong drug that relieves moderate to severe pain by acting on the brain and spinal cord.Full entry for moderate to severe pain. It comes as immediate-release tablets and liquid, as extended-release tablets that last about 12 hours (OxyContin), and combined with acetaminophen (as in Percocet). ISMP lists OxyContin as a name confused with MS Contin, a brand of morphineMOR-feenA strong opioid drug used to relieve moderate to severe pain.Full entry . It has the same main risks as other opioids: slow breathing, sedation, constipation, and misuse or addiction.
For the nurse
Check pain, respiratory rate and sedation before and after each dose, and keep naloxone available. Extended-release tablets must be swallowed whole, never crushed, chewed or split, since that releases the whole dose at once. For combination tablets, count the acetaminophen from every source toward the daily limit.
At a glance
| Drug class | opioid agonist |
|---|---|
| Brand names | OxyContin, Roxicodone; with acetaminophen: Percocet |
| Spanish | oxicodona |
| Also written | OxyContin, Roxicodone |
Easy to confuse with
morphine
A strong opioid drug used to relieve moderate to severe pain.
Related terms
opioid analgesic
A strong drug that relieves moderate to severe pain by acting on the brain and spinal cord.
analgesic
A drug that relieves pain.
morphine
A strong opioid drug used to relieve moderate to severe pain.
hydromorphone
A strong opioid pain medicine, given by mouth, by injection or into a vein.