A stepped approach to pain management is recommended.  A trial of oxycodone may be appropriate if the patient is intolerant to morphine. (Take into consideration dose equivalence - oxycodone is twice as potent as morphine so dose should be adjusted accordingly). See guidelines below for further information.

Ensure a patient agreement is completed by the patient (see below) prior to a trial of Oxycodone

Note the recommendations made at the Prescribing Clinical Network in December 2016 (below) in relation to brand prescribing.

Patients currently receiving generically written prescriptions should be reviewed with a view to change the prescribing to a cost-effective brand.

The PCN recommends the branded prescribing of oxycodone in line with advice from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Care Quality Commission link to guidance below. The current (February 2017), most cost effective brands of oxycodone are:

• Modified release: Longtec & Reltebon
• Immediate release: Shortec & Lynlor

CCGs to implement guidance, if considered appropriate, in collaboration with local stakeholders. See individual CCG recommendation documents (at the bottom of the page) where local agreements have been reached. Oxycodone is recommended as GREEN (not 1st line), strong opioid, after morphine, on the traffic light system.