Oxycodone

Description: Found in Percocet, Percodan and Tylox, oxycodone is a narcotic analgesic (pain reliever) closely related to codeine.

Dental Uses: Oxycodone is most commonly prescribed for relief of pain following dental surgery and for temporary relief of toothache. It occasionally is prescribed for chronic pain of the jaw (temporomandibular joint pain) or face. Oxycodone is most effective for dental pain when given in combination with acetaminophen (as in Percocet and Tylox) or aspirin (as in Percodan).

It is approximately 12 times more powerful than codeine, so that 5 milligrams of oxycodone produces the same pain relief and side effects as 60 milligrams of codeine. This does not mean that oxycodone is a better drug than codeine. It is simply "stronger," so your dentist can prescribe less of it. For very severe dental pain, as much as 10 milligrams of oxycodone (the amount in two Percocets, Percodans or Tyloxes) can be prescribed. Although this dose of oxycodone is very effective at relieving pain, it may also produce side effects in as many as two-thirds of all patients.

Dosages for dental purposes: Generally effective oxycodone prescriptions include 325 to 500 milligrams acetaminophen plus 5 milligrams oxycodone (Percocet or Tylox), one or two tablets every four to six hours; or 325 milligrams aspirin plus 5 milligrams oxycodone (Percodan), one or two tablets every four to six hours.

Concerns and possible side effects: Oxycodone and other oral narcotics (codeine, hydrocodone and propoxyphene) produce a relatively high incidence of dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and constipation in dental surgery patients. Side effects are even more frequent with the two-tablet doses (10 milligrams oxycodone) of Percocet, Percodan, or Tylox.

Dental patients prescribed drugs containing oral narcotics should not operate dangerous machinery or drive automobiles. Alcohol consumption must be avoided while taking narcotics because the combination greatly increases the risk of drowsiness, impaired thinking and unconsciousness. Alcohol consumption also increases the risk of stomach bleeding and ulcers (from aspirin/oxycodone combinations) and liver damage (from acetaminophen/oxycodone combinations).

Short-term use of narcotic analgesics (a few days) for post-surgical dental pain does not lead to drug addiction. Concern among some health professionals about the ability of chronic narcotic therapy (of weeks or months duration) to lead to addiction in some patients is largely unfounded, but it is still the subject of debate.

Patients with allergies to codeine should avoid oxycodone. Patients with allergies to acetaminophen should not consume Percocet or Tylox. Patients with allergies to aspirin should avoid Percodan. Allergic reactions can range from a mild rash to life-threatening closure of the airway and a fall in blood pressure.

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