Drug interactions
Opium tincture + Oxycodone
Severity: Major
Opium tincture and Oxycodone: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both are opioid agonists, so combining them produces additive analgesia and additive respiratory and CNS depression. Duplicate opioid therapy raises the risk of overdose and dosing errors, particularly because opium tincture is concentrated.
What this interaction means in plain words
Opium tincture and Oxycodone can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
Additive mu-opioid receptor agonism.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use unless intentionally planned; if combined, reduce doses, calculate total morphine-equivalent exposure and monitor respiratory rate and sedation.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Oxycodone
- Alvimopan + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Oxycodone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Oxycodone + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Opium tincture with Oxycodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Opium tincture and Oxycodone can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Both are opioid agonists, so combining them produces additive analgesia and additive respiratory and CNS depression. Duplicate opioid therapy raises the risk of overdose and dosing errors, particularly because opium tincture is concentrated.
How serious is the interaction between Opium tincture and Oxycodone?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concurrent use unless intentionally planned; if combined, reduce doses, calculate total morphine-equivalent exposure and monitor respiratory rate and sedation.
What other medicines interact with Oxycodone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxycodone with, for example, Alvimopan, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Oxycodone page.
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