What is Endone?

Endone is the brand name of a medicine containing the active ingredient oxycodone hydrochloride.

Other brands of oxycodone include OxyContin and OxyNorm. It comes in different dosages and forms such as tablets, capsules, suppositories and liquid.

Endone is an opioid medicine and is only available on prescription from your doctor.

What is Endone used for?

Endone is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It should only be used when your doctor decides other treatments cannot effectively manage your pain, or you can’t tolerate those treatments.

Endone is not usually recommended for the treatment of chronic pain.

How do I take Endone?

It is important to follow the directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist. Endone is taken with a full glass of water after a meal or after milk.

Your prescribing doctor will decide on your usual dosage, but it is usually up to 1 tablet every 6 hours. Take Endone at about the same time every day.

If you have been taking Endone for more than a short while, it is also important not to suddenly stop taking the medication but to gradually reduce the amount you are taking – under the supervision of your doctor. This will help to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms occurring.

What are the possible side effects of Endone?

All opioids, including Endone, can have side effects and these include life-threatening breathing problems. The risk of these is higher:

• when first taking Endone
• after a dosage increase
• if you are older
• if you have an existing lung problem

The side effects of Endone are similar to those of other opioids, and include:

• lightheadedness
• confusion
• constipation or diarrhoea
• vomiting
• nausea

Always take medicines exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

It’s important to tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any other symptoms after taking Endone, as some can indicate serious complications. For a complete list of side effects see the Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) leaflet.

What are the risks associated with Endone?

Opioids are strong pain medicines and can cause life-threatening breathing problems.

Endone can cause side effects that include drowsiness, sleepiness or dizziness in some people, so your doctor may recommend avoiding driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you. If you have recently started taking Endone or another opioid medication, or changed your dosage, you may be at higher risk of having an accident.

It’s also important to tell your doctor if you have any allergies or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Using Endone with other medicines that can make you drowsy, such as sleeping tablets or other pain-relief medicines, is potentially dangerous. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medication.

You must not drink alcohol while using Endone.

Be careful not to accidentally ‘double dose’ by also taking a different brand (such as OxyContin and OxyNorm) that contains the same active ingredient. Also, do not take a double dose to make up for a dose that you have missed.

Endone should only be used when your doctor decides there isn’t a better alternative to manage your pain. Your doctor will tell you how to use it in a safe and effective manner based on an assessment of your condition. Using Endone poses risks of abuse and addiction.

If you take Endone, you may become dependent on this medicine even if you take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will monitor how you use Endone to reduce your risk of harm, including through misuse, abuse and addiction.

You may also develop tolerance when you take Endone — this means that you may need to take larger amounts of the opioid to get the same effect. As the dosage increases, so does the risk of side effects.

Continue to take Endone for as long as your doctor tells you to. If you stop taking any brand of oxycodone suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms.

Endone overdose

If you take too much Endone (known as an overdose), it’s important to get immediate medical attention because it can cause respiratory failure, cardiac arrest or death.

Symptoms of overdose include feeling sleepy and/or difficulty in breathing, which could lead to unconsciousness and loss of muscle control.

If you are concerned about an overdose of Endone (or other brand of oxycodone), you should immediately:

• call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26
• contact your doctor; or
• go to the emergency department at your nearest hospital

See healthdirect's medicines section for more information about Endone.

Are there alternatives to Endone?

Everyone's pain is unique, and different pain-relief medicines will work in different circumstances. Some people’s pain will respond well to non-opioid medicines, which are generally associated with fewer risks and side effects.

Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before making any change to the dosage or type of medicine you take.

If you have chronic (long-term) pain, your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes to help manage the discomfort. This may include physical fitness and activity pacing, social activities, relaxation techniques and overall health management.

You can find more information here about options for managing chronic pain.

When should I see my doctor?

If your pain is not well controlled by Endone or you have any new or unexpected side effects, see your doctor.

See healthdirect's medicines section for more information about Endone.