OXYARGIN is a brand name for Naloxone. The medicine, its uses, side effects and dosage are the same regardless of brand.
Used for: Severe pain, which can be adequately managed only with opioid analgesics. The opioid antagonist naloxone is added to counteract opioid-induced constipation by blocking the action of oxycodone at opioid receptors locally in the gut. Oxyargin is indicated in adults.
Verbatim from this product's MHRA label. Tap a section to expand.
4). Posology The analgesic efficacy of Oxyargin is equivalent to oxycodone hydrochloride prolonged-release formulations. The dose should be adjusted to the intensity of pain and the sensitivity of the individual patient.
Unless otherwise prescribed, Oxyargin should be administered as follows:
Adults The usual starting dose for opioid naive patients is 10 mg/5 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride/naloxone hydrochloride at 12 hourly intervals. Patients already receiving opioids may be started on higher doses of Oxyargin depending on their previous opioid experience.
5 mg is intended for dose titration when initiating opioid therapy and individual dose adjustment. The maximum daily dose of Oxyargin is 160 mg oxycodone hydrochloride and 80 mg naloxone hydrochloride. The maximum daily dose is reserved for patients who have previously been maintained on a stable daily dose and who have become in need of an increased dose.
Special attention should be given to patients with compromised renal function and patients with mild hepatic impairment if an increased dose is considered. For patients requiring higher doses of Oxyargin, administration of supplemental prolonged-release oxycodone hydrochloride at the same time intervals should be considered, taking into account the maximum daily dose of 400 mg prolonged-release oxycodone hydrochloride.
In the case of supplemental oxycodone hydrochloride dosing, the beneficial effect of naloxone hydrochloride on bowel function may be impaired. After complete discontinuation of therapy with Oxyargin with a subsequent switch to another opioid a worsening of the bowel function can be expected.
Some patients taking Oxyargin according to a regular time schedule require immediate-release analgesics as “rescue” medication for breakthrough pain. Oxyargin is a prolonged-release formulation and therefore not intended for the treatment of breakthrough pain.
For the treatment of breakthrough pain, a single dose of “rescue medication” should approximate one sixth of the equivalent daily dose of oxycodone hydrochloride. The need for more than two “rescues” per day is usually an indication that the dose of Oxyargin requires upward adjustment.
25 mg or 10 mg/5 mg, oxycodone hydrochloride/naloxone hydrochloride until a stable dose is reached. The aim is to establish a patient-specific twice daily dose that will maintain adequate analgesia and make use of as little rescue medication as possible for as long as pain therapy is necessary.
Undesirable effects are presented below in two sections: the treatment of pain and the active substance oxycodone hydrochloride.
The following frequencies are the basis for assessing undesirable effects:
Very common ≥1/10 Common ≥1/100 to <1/10 Uncommon ≥1/1,000 to <1/100 Rare ≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000 Very rare <1/10,000 Not known cannot be estimated from the available data Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
4) Nervous system disorders Dizziness Headache Somnolence Convulsions1, Disturbance in attention, Paraesthesia, Sedation System Organ Class MedDRA Common Uncommon Rare Very rare Not known Dysgeusia, Speech disorder, Syncope, Tremor, Lethargy Eye disorders Visual impairment Ear and labyrinth disorders Vertigo Cardiac disorders Angina pectoris2, Palpitations Tachycardia Vascular disorders Hot flush Blood pressure decreased, Blood pressure increased Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Dyspnoea, Rhinorrhoea, Cough Yawning Respiratory depression Gastrointestinal disorders Abdominal pain, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Dry mouth, Dyspepsia, Vomiting, Nausea, Flatulence Abdominal distention Tooth disorder Eructation Hepatobiliary disorders Hepatic enzymes increased, Biliary colic Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Pruritus, Skin reactions, Hyperhidrosis Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Muscle spasms, Muscle twitching, Myalgia Renal and urinary disorders Micturition urgency Urinary retention Reproductive system and breast disorders Erectile dysfunction General disorders and administration site conditions Asthenia, fatigue Drug withdrawal syndrome, Chest pain, Chills, Malaise, Pain, System Organ Class MedDRA Common Uncommon Rare Very rare Not known Oedema peripheral, Thirst Investigations Weight decreased Weight increased Injury, poisoning and procedural complications Injury from accidents 1 particularly in persons with epileptic disorder or predisposition to convulsions 2 particular in patients with history of coronary artery disease For the active substance oxycodone hydrochloride, the following additional undesirable effects are known Due to its pharmacological properties, oxycodone hydrochloride may cause respiratory depression, miosis, bronchial spasm and spasms of nonstriated muscles as well as suppress the cough reflex.
Respiratory depression The major risk of opioid excess is respiratory depression. Caution must be exercised when administering Oxyargin to elderly or infirm patients, patients with opioid- induced paralytic ileus, patients presenting severely impaired pulmonary function, patients with sleep apnoea, myxoedema, hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease (adrenal cortical insufficiency), toxic psychosis, cholelithiasis, prostate hypertrophy, alcoholism, delirium tremens, pancreatitis, hypotension, hypertension, pre-existing cardiovascular diseases, head injury (due to the risk of increased intracranial pressure), epileptic disorder or predisposition to convulsions, or patients taking MAO inhibitors or CNS depressants.
Risk from concomitant use of sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs: Concomitant use of opioids, including oxycodone hydrochloride and sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs may result in sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death.
Because of these risks, concomitant prescribing with these sedative medicines should be reserved for patients for whom alternative treatment options are not possible. If a decision is made to prescribe Oxyargin concomitantly with sedative medicines, the lowest effective dose should be used, and the duration of treatment should be as short as possible.
The patients should be followed closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation. 5). Opioids, such as oxycodone hydrochloride, may influence the hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenal or gonadal axes. Some changes that can be seen include an increase in serum prolactin and decreases in plasma cortisol and testosterone.
Clinical symptoms may manifest from these hormonal changes. Hepatobiliary disorders Oxycodone may cause dysfunction and spasm of the sphincter of Oddi, thus increasing the risk of biliary tract symptoms and pancreatitis. Therefore, oxycodone / naloxone has to be administered with caution in patients with pancreatitis and diseases of the biliary tract.
1, • any situation where opioids are contraindicated, • severe respiratory depression with hypoxia and/or hypercapnia, • severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, • Cor pulmonale, • severe bronchial asthma, • non-opioid induced paralytic ileus, • moderate to severe hepatic impairment.
In addition, for restless legs syndrome: • history of opioid abuse.
Not medical advice. Always read the patient information leaflet and follow your prescriber or pharmacist.
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25 mg tablet is used. Oxyargin is taken at the determined dose twice daily according to a fixed time schedule. While symmetric administration (the same dose mornings and evenings) subject to a fixed time schedule (every 12 hours) is appropriate for the majority of patients, some patients, depending on the individual pain situation, may benefit from asymmetric dosing tailored to their pain pattern.
In general, the lowest effective analgesic dose should be selected. In non-malignant pain therapy, daily doses of up to 40 mg/20 mg oxycodone hydrochloride/naloxone hydrochloride are usually sufficient, but higher doses may be needed.
For doses not realisable/practicable with this strength other strengths of this medicinal product are available. Duration of use Oxyargin should not be administered for longer than absolutely necessary. Paediatric population The safety and efficacy of Oxyargin in children and adolescents aged below 18 years has not been established.
No data are available. Elderly patients As for younger adults the dose should be adjusted to the intensity of the pain or the RLS symptoms and the sensitivity of the individual patient. Patients with impaired hepatic function A clinical trial has shown that plasma concentrations of both oxycodone and naloxone are elevated in patients with hepatic impairment.
2). The clinical relevance of a relative high naloxone exposure in hepatic impaired patients is yet not known. 4). 3). 2). Naloxone concentrations were affected to a higher degree than oxycodone. The clinical relevance of a relative high naloxone exposure in renal impaired patients is yet not known.
4). Method of administration For oral use. Oxyargin is taken in the determined dose twice daily in a fixed time schedule. The prolonged-release tablets may be taken with or without food with sufficient liquid. Treatment goals and discontinuation Before initiating treatment with {product name}, a treatment strategy including treatment duration and treatment goals, and a plan for end of the treatment, should be agreed together with the patient, in accordance with pain management guidelines.
During treatment, there should be frequent contact between the physician and the patient to evaluate the need for continued treatment, consider discontinuation and to adjust dosages if needed. When a patient no longer requires therapy with oxycodone, it may be advisable to taper the dose gradually to prevent symptoms of withdrawal.
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g. derealisation) Nervous system disorders Concentration impaired, Migraine, Hypertonia, Involuntary muscle contractions, Hypoaesthesia, Abnormal co- ordination Hyperalgesia Ear and labyrinth disorders Hearing impaired Vascular disorders Vasodilation Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Dysphonia Gastrointestinal disorders Hiccups Dysphagia, Ileus, Mouth ulceration, Stomatitis Melaena, Gingival bleeding Dental caries Hepatobiliary disorders Cholestasis Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Dry skin Urticaria Renal and urinary disorders Dysuria Reproductive system and breast disorders Hypogonadism Amenorrhoea General disorders and administration site conditions Oedema, Drug tolerance Drug withdrawal syndrome neonatal Description of selected adverse reactions Drug dependence Repeated use of {product name} can lead to drug dependence, even at therapeutic doses.
4). Reporting of suspected adverse reactions Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
Hepatic or renal impairment Caution must also be exercised when administering Oxyargin to patients with mild hepatic or renal impairment. A careful medical monitoring is particularly necessary for patients with severe renal impairment.
Diarrhoea Diarrhoea may be considered as a possible effect of naloxone. Long-term treatment In patients under long-term opioid treatment, with higher doses of opioids, the switch to Oxyargin can initially provoke withdrawal symptoms.
Such patients may require specific attention. Oxyargin is not suitable for the treatment of withdrawal symptoms. During long-term administration, the patient may develop tolerance to the medicinal product and require higher doses to maintain the desired effect.
Chronic administration of Oxyargin may lead to physical dependence. Withdrawal symptoms may occur upon the abrupt cessation of therapy. 2). Drug dependence, tolerance and potential for abuse Opioid Use Disorder (abuse and dependence) Tolerance and physical and/or psychological dependence may develop upon repeated administration of opioids such as oxycodone.
Repeated use of Oxyargin may lead to Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). A higher dose and longer duration of opioid treatment can increase the risk of developing OUD. Abuse or intentional misuse of Oxyargin may result in overdose and/or death.
g. major depression, anxiety and personality disorders). 2). Before and during treatment the patient should also be informed about the risks and signs of OUD. If these signs occur, patients should be advised to contact their physician.
g. too early requests for refills). This includes the review of concomitant opioids and psycho- active drugs (like benzodiazepines). For patients with signs and symptoms of OUD, consultation with an addiction specialist should be considered.
A comprehensive patient history should be taken to document concomitant medications, including over-the-counter medicines and medicines obtained on-line, and past and present medical and psychiatric conditions. Tolerance Patients may find that treatment is less effective with chronic use and express a need to increase the dose to obtain the same level of pain control as initially experienced.
Patients may also supplement their treatment with additional pain relievers. These could be signs that the patient is developing tolerance. The risks of developing tolerance should be explained to the patient. Overuse or misuse may result in overdose and/or death.
It is important that patients only use medicines that are prescribed for them at the dose they have been prescribed and do not give this medicine to anyone else. Patients should be closely monitored for signs of misuse, abuse, or addiction.
The clinical need for analgesic treatment should be reviewed regularly. Drug withdrawal syndrome Prior to starting treatment with any opioids, a discussion should be held with patients to put in place a withdrawal strategy for ending treatment with oxycodone.
Drug withdrawal syndrome may occur upon abrupt cessation of therapy or dose reduction. When a patient no longer requires therapy, it is advisable to taper the dose gradually to minimise […]