Common Side Effects
Oxycodone ER has been studied extensively in clinical trials. In these studies, side effects occurring in the group of people taking
oxycodone ER are documented and compared to the side effects that occur in a similar group of people taking either a placebo (a "sugar pill" with no active ingredients) or the short-acting version of oxycodone.
Based on these studies, the most common bothersome (but not usually dangerous) side effects included:
- Constipation -- in up to 23 percent of people (see OxyContin and Constipation)
- Nausea -- up to 23 percent
- Drowsiness -- up to 23 percent
- Dizziness -- up to 13 percent
- Itching -- up to 13 percent
- Vomiting -- up to 12 percent
- Dry mouth -- up to 6 percent
- Weakness -- up to 6 percent
- Sweating -- up to 5 percent.
It is common to develop non-allergic itching due to oxycodone ER. The medication causes a release of histamine, resulting in itching unrelated to any allergy. If you develop itching but no other
allergy symptoms, it is unlikely that you are allergic to oxycodone ER. Tell your healthcare provider, though, since there are medications available to help relieve the itching.
Rare Oxycodone ER Side Effects
There are other rare but possible side effects that can occur with this drug. In studies, these side effects occurred in less than 1 percent of people taking the medicine. For these side effects, it is difficult to tell whether they are actually caused by oxycodone ER or something else.
These less common side effects include, but are not limited to:
- Ringing of the ears (tinnitus)
- Increased appetite
- Sore throat
- Neck pain
- Migraines
- Taste changes
- A spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Difficulty passing urine
- Absent menstrual periods
- Decreased sex drive
- Impotence (also known as erectile dysfunction, or ED)
- Dry skin.
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