Immediate‑Release Oxycodone: Brand Names, Formulations, and Prescribing Guidelines

Brand Names and Single‑Entity Formulations

• Roxicodone is the primary brand name for immediate‑release (IR) oxycodone hydrochloride used in clinical practice. 1
• Percodan is an IR oxycodone combination product (specific co‑ingredient not detailed) referenced in emergency‑medicine guidelines. 1

Combination Products Containing Acetaminophen

• Percocet combines oxycodone with acetaminophen, with each tablet containing up to 325 mg of acetaminophen; it is listed in both emergency‑medicine and oncology guideline sources. 1
• Percolone is another oxycodone/acetaminophen combination product cited in pediatric literature. 4

Pharmacokinetic Distinctions Between IR and ER Formulations

• IR oxycodone products (e.g., Roxicodone, OxyNorm) achieve analgesic onset within 10–30 minutes and provide pain relief for 3–6 hours. 5
• ER oxycodone products (e.g., OxyContin) have an onset of ≈1 hour, a duration of 10–12 hours, and should not be used for acute pain according to emergency‑medicine guidelines. 1

Prescribing Considerations and Guidelines

• The CDC recommends that clinicians initiate opioid therapy with IR formulations rather than ER products for acute pain management. 5
• Prescriptions should clearly state the release mechanism (IR vs. ER) and the exact dose to prevent medication errors. 5

Regulatory Status

• IR oxycodone is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance under federal drug scheduling. 1

Initial Dosing Recommendations

• The typical starting dose for IR oxycodone in adults is 5–15 mg every 4–6 hours as needed for pain control. 1