Administration

Oxycodone can be administered orally (most effective), intramuscularly, subcutaneously (skin popping), intravenously, intranasally (sniffing or snorting), rectally and transdermally (eg by skin patches).

Intravenous administration is associated with rapid onset (5 minutes) of the effects and a short duration, while rectal administration provides longer onset (30-60 minutes) of the effects and up to 3 times longer duration, although there is no difference in the potency.
Dosage

Related information: codeine dosage
Metabolism

Oxycodone is about 45% protein bound. Once absorbed, oxycodone is distributed to skeletal muscle, liver, intestinal tract, lungs, spleen, and the CNS. Oxycodone has been found in breast milk. Metabolism of oxycodone occurs in the liver with excretion principally in the urine. Oxycodone is metabolised to noroxycodone. Conversion to oxymorphone is mediated by the cytochrome P450-2D6 (CYP2D6).

Oxycodone is excreted mainly as a conjugate whereas noroxycodone mostly in an unconjugated form. The plasma half-life is 3-5 hours.
Effects

The effects start in 10-30 minutes. Peak effects occur in 60-90 minutes and last for 4-6 hours.

Oxycodone has been reported to be as effective as morphine in relieving pain when given in equianalgesic doses and to cause less nausea, vomiting and hallucinations.

Effects are up to 8 times more potent than those of codeine. Oxycodone is similar to codeine and methadone in that it retains at least one half of its analgesic activity when administered orally.
Extraction

With oxycodone tablets that may include other substances, such as paracetamol, the extraction method is the same as with codeine.