Oxycodone hydrochloride+Naloxone hydrochloride
You should carefully read the contents of the leaflet before taking the medicine, as it contains important information for the patient.
Oxylaxon has been prescribed to treat severe pain that can only be adequately controlled with opioid painkillers.
Oxylaxon contains the active substances oxycodone hydrochloride and naloxone hydrochloride.
Oxycodone is responsible for the pain-relieving effect of the medicine. It is a strong painkiller that belongs to a group of medicines called opioids.
Naloxone counteracts constipation, which is a typical side effect of strong painkillers (opioids).
Before starting treatment with Oxylaxon, the patient should discuss it with their doctor or pharmacist.
The patient should inform their doctor if they have had any of the above conditions in the past. The patient should also contact their doctor if they occur during treatment with Oxylaxon.
Respiratory depression during sleep
Oxylaxon may cause respiratory depression associated with sleep, such as sleep apnea (pauses in breathing during sleep) and hypoxemia during sleep (low oxygen levels in the blood). Symptoms may include pauses in breathing during sleep, nighttime awakenings due to shortness of breath, difficulty staying asleep, or excessive daytime sleepiness. If the patient or another person notices such symptoms, they should contact their doctor. The doctor may consider reducing the dose.
Tolerance, dependence, and addiction
This medicine contains oxycodone, which is an opioid. It may cause dependence and (or) addiction.
This medicine contains oxycodone, which is an opioid medicine. Repeated use of opioid painkillers may lead to reduced effectiveness of the medicine (the patient's body gets used to it, which is called tolerance).
Long-term use of Oxylaxon may lead to dependence, abuse, and addiction, which can be life-threatening. The risk of these side effects may be higher when using higher doses for a longer period.
If the patient notices any of the following symptoms while taking Oxylaxon, it may indicate that they are developing dependence or addiction.
If the patient observes any of these symptoms, they should contact their doctor to discuss the best treatment plan, including the right time and safe way to stop treatment (see section 3 "Stopping Oxylaxon treatment").
Oxylaxon is not recommended for patients with advanced intestinal or pelvic cancer, where intestinal obstruction may occur.
If the patient experiences acute diarrhea at the start of treatment (within the first 3-5 days), it may be an effect of naloxone. This may be a sign that bowel function is returning to normal. If diarrhea persists after 3-5 days or bothers the patient, they should contact their doctor.
If the patient has previously taken high doses of other opioids, when switching to Oxylaxon, they may initially experience withdrawal symptoms (such as restlessness, sweating, and muscle pain). If such symptoms occur, the patient may require special medical supervision.
If the patient is to undergo surgery, they should inform their doctor that they are taking Oxylaxon.
The patient should consult their doctor if they experience severe abdominal pain that may radiate to the back, nausea, vomiting, or fever, as these may be symptoms related to pancreatitis and bile duct problems.
During long-term use of Oxylaxon, the patient may develop tolerance to the medicine. This means that the patient may require higher doses to achieve the desired effect. Long-term use of this medicine may lead to physical dependence. The patient should avoid taking medicines containing oxycodone if they have a history of alcohol, drug, or medicine abuse. If treatment is stopped suddenly, withdrawal symptoms may occur. If the patient no longer needs treatment, the daily dose should be gradually reduced, in agreement with the doctor.
Remnants of prolonged-release tablets may be found in the stool. The patient should not be concerned, as the active substance has been released in the stomach and intestines and absorbed by the body.
Improper use of Oxylaxon
Never misuse Oxylaxon, especially if the patient is addicted to medicines. In the case of addiction to drugs such as heroin, morphine, or methadone, misusing Oxylaxon may cause severe withdrawal symptoms, as it contains the active substance naloxone. Previous withdrawal symptoms may worsen.
It is not allowed to misuse Oxylaxon prolonged-release tablets by dissolving them and injecting them (e.g., into blood vessels) or by inhaling them. The tablets contain talc, which can cause local tissue damage (necrosis) and changes in lung tissue (pulmonary granulomas). Misuse of the medicine can have other serious consequences, even death.
Prolonged-release tablets should be swallowed whole, without affecting the slow release of oxycodone from the tablet. The tablets should not be divided, broken, chewed, or crushed. Taking divided, broken, chewed, or crushed tablets can release a potentially fatal dose of oxycodone into the body (see section 3 "Taking a higher dose of Oxylaxon than prescribed").
Taking Oxylaxon may result in positive doping test results.
Taking Oxylaxon as a stimulant can be life-threatening.
Oxylaxon should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age, as its safety and efficacy have not been established.
The patient should tell their doctor or pharmacist about all medicines they are currently taking or have recently taken, as well as any medicines they plan to take.
The risk of side effects increases if Oxylaxon is taken with other medicines that affect brain function. In such cases, the patient may feel sleepy or have breathing problems (respiratory depression).
Medicines that affect brain function:
The risk of side effects increases if the patient takes antidepressants (such as citalopram, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine). These medicines can interact with oxycodone, causing symptoms such as involuntary, rhythmic muscle contractions, including muscles that control eye movements, agitation, excessive sweating, shivering, increased reflexes, increased muscle tension, and elevated body temperature above 38°C. If these symptoms occur, the patient should contact their doctor.
Concomitant use of Oxylaxon and sedatives, such as benzodiazepines or related medicines, increases the risk of sleepiness, breathing difficulties (respiratory depression), or sleepiness, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, combination therapy should only be considered when other treatment options are not available.
If Oxylaxon is taken with sedatives, the doctor should limit the dose and duration of concomitant use.
The patient should tell their doctor about all sedatives they are taking and strictly follow the prescribed dose. It may be helpful to inform a family member or close friend of the patient about the possibility of these symptoms. If these symptoms occur, the patient should consult their doctor.
The patient should inform their doctor about the following medicines:
Consuming alcohol while taking Oxylaxon may cause sleepiness or increase the risk of serious side effects, such as shallow breathing with a risk of respiratory arrest and loss of consciousness. The patient should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Oxylaxon.
The patient should avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking Oxylaxon.
If the patient is pregnant, breastfeeding, or thinks they may be pregnant, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
Pregnancy
Whenever possible, Oxylaxon should be avoided during pregnancy. If the medicine is used during pregnancy for a long time, oxycodone may cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. If oxycodone is given during delivery, the newborn may experience respiratory depression (slow and shallow breathing).
Breastfeeding
The patient should stop breastfeeding while taking Oxylaxon. Oxycodone passes into breast milk. It is not known if naloxone also passes into breast milk. For this reason, there is a risk to the breastfed child, especially if the mother takes multiple doses of Oxylaxon.
This medicine may affect the patient's ability to drive and use machines, as it may cause sleepiness or dizziness. This is most likely to happen at the start of treatment, after a dose increase, or when switching to this medicine from another.
Oxylaxon may cause sleepiness or sudden sleep episodes. If these occur, the patient should not drive or operate machinery.
The patient should consult their doctor or pharmacist if they are unsure whether they can drive while taking this medicine.
Patients with intolerance to some sugars should consult their doctor before taking this medicine.
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol of sodium (23 mg) per prolonged-release tablet, which means it is "sodium-free".
This medicine should always be taken exactly as prescribed by the doctor. If the patient has any doubts, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist.
If it is difficult to take the required dose using the prescribed strength of the medicine, the patient may take a different strength of the same medicinal product.
Before starting treatment and regularly during treatment, the doctor will discuss with the patient what to expect from taking Oxylaxon, when and for how long to take it, when to contact the doctor, and when to stop taking it (see also "Stopping Oxylaxon treatment").
Adults
The usual starting dose is 10 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride and 5 mg of naloxone hydrochloride every 12 hours.
The doctor will decide what total daily dose should be taken and how it should be divided into morning and evening doses. The doctor will also decide on any necessary dose adjustments during treatment, depending on the severity of the pain and the patient's individual sensitivity. The patient should take the lowest effective dose to relieve pain. If the patient has previously taken opioids, treatment with Oxylaxon may be started at a higher initial dose.
The maximum daily dose is 160 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride and 80 mg of naloxone hydrochloride. If higher doses are necessary, the doctor may prescribe an additional dose of oxycodone without naloxone. However, the maximum daily dose of oxycodone hydrochloride should not exceed 400 mg. When additional doses of oxycodone hydrochloride are given, the beneficial effect of naloxone hydrochloride on bowel function may be reduced.
If the patient experiences pain between doses, they may need to take a different, fast-acting painkiller. Oxylaxon is not intended for this purpose. The patient should consult their doctor in such cases.
If the patient feels that the effect of the medicine is too strong or too weak, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist.
Elderly patients
Usually, there is no need to adjust the dose in elderly patients with normal kidney and liver function.
Patients with kidney or liver problems
If the patient has kidney or mild liver problems, the doctor will prescribe Oxylaxon with caution. The patient should not take Oxylaxon if they have moderate to severe liver failure (see also section 2 "When not to take Oxylaxon" and "Warnings and precautions").
Children and adolescents under 18 years of age
Oxylaxon has not been studied in children and adolescents. Therefore, this medicine is not recommended for patients under 18 years of age.
Oral use.
The tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. They can be taken with or without food. The patient should take them every 12 hours, according to the established schedule. For example, if the patient takes a tablet at 8 am, the next one should be taken at 8 pm.
Prolonged-release tablets should not be divided, broken, chewed, or crushed.
This medicine is in a packaging that is not accessible to children. To remove a tablet, the patient should press the blister firmly.
Oxylaxon should not be taken for longer than necessary. If the patient takes Oxylaxon for a long time, the doctor will regularly check if it is still necessary.
If the patient takes more Oxylaxon than prescribed, they must contact their doctor immediately.
Overdose may cause:
In severe cases, overdose may cause loss of consciousness (coma), fluid accumulation in the lungs, and circulatory failure, which can be life-threatening.
The patient should avoid situations that require increased attention (e.g., driving vehicles).
If the patient misses a dose of Oxylaxon or takes a lower dose than prescribed, they may not feel the effects of the medicine.
If the patient forgets to take a dose, they should follow these instructions:
The patient should not take more than one dose in 8 hours.
The patient should not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
The patient should not stop taking Oxylaxon without consulting their doctor.
If the patient no longer needs treatment, the doctor will recommend gradually reducing the daily dose. This way, the patient can avoid withdrawal symptoms, such as restlessness, sweating, and muscle pain.
If the patient has any further doubts about taking this medicine, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, Oxylaxon can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Serious side effects or symptoms that require attention and action in case of their occurrence:
The patient should stop taking Oxylaxon and contact their doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately if they experience any of the following symptoms:
Common(may occur in up to 1 in 10 patients):
Uncommon(may occur in up to 1 in 100 patients):
Rare(may occur in up to 1 in 1,000 patients)
Frequency not known(cannot be estimated from the available data)
Respiratory depression, such as slow and shallow breathing (respiratory depression), constricted pupils, muscle spasms, and reduced cough reflex.
Common(may occur in up to 1 in 10 patients):
Uncommon(may occur in up to 1 in 100 patients):
Rare(may occur in up to 1 in 1,000 patients)
Frequency not known(cannot be estimated from the available data)
If the patient experiences any side effects, including any side effects not listed in the leaflet, they should tell their doctor or pharmacist. Side effects can be reported directly to the:
Department for Monitoring of Adverse Reactions to Medicinal Products, Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products, Al. Jerozolimskie 181C, 02-222 Warsaw, tel.: +48 22 49 21 301, fax: +48 22 49 21 309, e-mail: ndl@urpl.gov.pl.
Side effects can also be reported to the marketing authorization holder.
Reporting side effects helps to gather more information on the safety of the medicine.
The medicine should be kept out of the sight and reach of children. This medicine should be stored in a closed and secure place, to which other people cannot gain access.
It can be very harmful and may cause death if taken by someone it was not prescribed for.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton and blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month stated.
Do not store above 25°C.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. The patient should ask their pharmacist how to dispose of medicines that are no longer needed. This will help protect the environment.
Oxylaxon, 5 mg+2.5 mg, prolonged-release tablets
Each prolonged-release tablet contains 5 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride, equivalent to 4.5 mg of oxycodone, and 2.5 mg of naloxone hydrochloride as 2.75 mg of naloxone hydrochloride dihydrate, equivalent to 2.25 mg of naloxone.
Oxylaxon, 10 mg+5 mg, prolonged-release tablets
Each prolonged-release tablet contains 10 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride, equivalent to 9 mg of oxycodone, and 5 mg of naloxone hydrochloride as 5.5 mg of naloxone hydrochloride dihydrate, equivalent to 4.5 mg of naloxone.
Oxylaxon, 20 mg+10 mg, prolonged-release tablets
Each prolonged-release tablet contains 20 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride, equivalent to 18 mg of oxycodone, and 10 mg of naloxone hydrochloride as 10.99 mg of naloxone hydrochloride dihydrate, equivalent to 9 mg of naloxone.
Oxylaxon, 30 mg+15 mg, prolonged-release tablets
Each prolonged-release tablet contains 30 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride, equivalent to 26.9 mg of oxycodone, and 15 mg of naloxone hydrochloride as 16.485 mg of naloxone hydrochloride dihydrate, equivalent to 13.5 mg of naloxone.
Oxylaxon, 40 mg+20 mg, prolonged-release tablets
Each prolonged-release tablet contains 40 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride, equivalent to 36 mg of oxycodone, and 20 mg of naloxone hydrochloride as 21.98 mg of naloxone hydrochloride dihydrate, equivalent to 18 mg of naloxone.
Oxylaxon is a prolonged-release tablet, which means that the active substances are released into the body over a longer period. Their effect lasts for 12 hours.
Oxylaxon, 5 mg+2.5 mg, prolonged-release tablets
Light blue, round, and biconvex prolonged-release tablets with the number "5" embossed on one side.
Oxylaxon, 10 mg+5 mg, prolonged-release tablets
White or almost white, round, and biconvex prolonged-release tablets with the number "10" embossed on one side.
Oxylaxon, 20 mg+10 mg, prolonged-release tablets
Light pink, round, and biconvex prolonged-release tablets with the number "20" embossed on one side.
Oxylaxon, 30 mg+15 mg, prolonged-release tablets
Brown, round, and biconvex prolonged-release tablets with the number "30" embossed on one side.
Oxylaxon, 40 mg+20 mg, prolonged-release tablets
Yellow, round, and biconvex prolonged-release tablets with the number "40" embossed on one side.
Packaging containing 7, 10, 14, 20, 28, 30, 50, 56, 60, 98, and 100 prolonged-release tablets in blisters, in a cardboard box.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
G.L. Pharma GmbH
Schlossplatz 1
8502 Lannach
Austria
G.L. PHARMA POLAND Sp. z o.o.
Al. Jana Pawła II 61/313
01-031 Warsaw, Poland
Tel: 022/ 636 52 23; 636 53 02
biuro@gl-pharma.pl
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