Oxycodone/naloxone

Oxycodone/naloxone, sold under the trade name Targin among others, is a combination pain medication. It is available as modified-release tablets and is taken by mouth.

Oxycodone/naloxone
Combination of
OxycodoneOpioid analgesic
NaloxoneOpioid receptor antagonist
Clinical data
Trade namesTargin, Targiniq, Targinact, others
AHFS/Drugs.comInternational Drug Names
UK Drug Information
Pregnancy
category
  • AU: C
  • C
Routes of
administration
By mouth
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
  • AU: S8 (Controlled drug)
  • US: Schedule II
  • In general: ℞ (Prescription only)
  (verify)

The oxycodone component is an opioid and is responsible for the pain-relieving effects. Naloxone opposes the effects of opioids but is poorly absorbed into the body when given orally, meaning almost all the dose stays within the gastrointestinal tract and reduces the local side effects from the oxycodone. Constipation was significantly relieved in a 2008 study.[1] The drug was released in 2006 in Germany and is available in some other European countries since 2009.[2]

Adverse effects

If the drug is used off-license by crushing the tablet and dissolving it for injection, it may precipitate severe opiate withdrawal symptoms due to the much higher bioavailability of intravenous naloxone compared to oral naloxone. In simpler terms, the normal injection dose of naloxone is far smaller than the oral dose.

See also

References


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