What Is Endone Used For?

Endone contains oxycodone hydrochloride and belongs to a group of medicines called narcotic analgesics. It is prescribed for managing severe pain when other treatment options are not effective or cannot be tolerated.

Primary Uses

Endone is used for the short-term management of severe pain. Your doctor will only prescribe this medication when other pain treatment options are not able to effectively manage your pain or you cannot tolerate them.

How It Works

The active ingredient works by binding to receptors called opioid receptors in your central nervous system. This binding action changes your body’s perception of pain throughout the central nervous system, producing the pain-relieving effect.

How to Take Endone

Follow all directions given by your doctor carefully. Take Endone at about the same time each day for the best effect, and it will help you remember when to take it.

Dosage Instructions

The usual dose is one tablet every six hours. Your doctor may prescribe a different dose for you. Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water after food or with milk. Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If you miss your dose and it is less than 3 hours before your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• Dizziness, light-headedness, and confusion
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Sweating
• Redness of the face
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Sleep apnea
• Sexual dysfunction
• Absence of menstrual periods

Important Warnings

Endone has serious risks including life-threatening breathing problems, addiction potential, and dangerous interactions with other medicines. Your doctor will monitor you regularly during treatment.

Who Should Not Take Endone

Do not take Endone if you have allergies to oxycodone or other narcotic analgesics, head injury, brain tumor, epilepsy, heart problems, severe respiratory diseases, severe headaches, history of alcohol or drug abuse, mental illness, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also avoid if taking MAO inhibitors within the last 14 days.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have muscle weakness, underactive thyroid, kidney or liver disease, low blood pressure, prostate problems, bowel disorders, pancreas inflammation, gall bladder problems, abdominal pain, adrenal gland disorders, sleep apnea, or prescription/illicit drug addiction.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Do not take Endone if you are pregnant as it may affect your developing baby. Do not breastfeed while taking Endone as the active ingredient passes into breast milk and may affect your baby. Endone given during labor can cause breathing problems and withdrawal signs in newborns.

Drug Interactions

Using Endone with other medicines that can make you drowsy may result in severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma and death. Your doctor will minimize the dose and duration of use and monitor you closely.

• Sleeping tablets (benzodiazepines)
• Other pain relievers
• Antihistamines
• Antidepressants
• Antipsychotics
• Gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin)
• Cannabis
• Anaesthetics
• Anticoagulants (blood thinners)
• Epilepsy medicines
• Blood pressure medicines
• Anxiety medicines
• Cold and flu medicines
• Nausea and vomiting medicines
• Atropine-like medicines
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder medicines
• Naloxone and/or naltrexone

Alcohol & Driving

Endone can impair your mental and physical abilities needed for driving and operating machinery. It may cause drowsiness and other effects that make these activities dangerous.

Alcohol

Do not drink alcohol while taking Endone. The combination can result in severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma, and death. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Endone affects you. This medicine may impair the mental and physical ability needed to drive a car or operate heavy machinery safely.

Storage

Keep your tablets in the pack until it is time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half meters above the ground is recommended.

Overdose Information

If you or someone else takes too much Endone, immediately call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Keep the person awake by talking to them or gently shaking them. Overdose symptoms include slow or difficult breathing, drowsiness, unconsciousness, slow heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, loss of coordination, difficulty walking, facial drooping, loss of vision, personality changes, trouble speaking, and weak muscles. You can also phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Frequently Asked Questions