Oxycodone: a review of its use in the management of pain

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Curr Med Res Opin. 2008 Jan;24(1):175-92.

Oxycodone: a review of its use in the management of pain.

Riley J, Eisenberg E, Müller-Schwefe G, Drewes AM, Arendt-Nielsen L.

Department of Palliative Care, The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, London,

UK.

BACKGROUND: Oxycodone is a strong opioid that acts at mu- and kappa-

opioid receptors. It has pharmacological actions similar to strong

opioids, but with a specific pharmacologic profile and greater

analgesic potency to morphine. The efficacy of oxycodone in managing

neuropathic and somatic pain, both of malignant and non-malignant

origin, has been established in a wide range of settings.

SCOPE: This review aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of

oxycodone and its role within clinical settings in order to provide

an evidence-based perspective on its use in the clinic. Literature

searches using Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane Databases were used to

compile data for review. The review provides information on the

pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oxycodone and also profiles

established clinical data in neuropathic and somatic pain as well as

emerging data to support the use of oxycodone in visceral pain, which

may be due to its interaction with kappa-opioid receptors. Oxycodone

is available in a range of formulations for oral, intraspinal and

parenteral administration.

FINDINGS: The prolonged-release form of oxycodone offers a fast onset

of analgesia, controlling pain for 12 hours and providing clinically

meaningful relief of moderate to severe pain and improving quality of

life across a broad spectrum of pain types.

CONCLUSIONS: Oxycodone provides significant pain relief. It has

relevant points of difference from other opioids and as such may be a

suitable alternative to morphine.