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How long does oxycodone take to work?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on March 12, 2023.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Immediate-release oxycodone starts to work quickly, within 10 to 30 minutes, but it may take up to 1 hour for it to be fully absorbed, and the full effects reached. Food can delay how quickly oxycodone takes to work, but not how much is absorbed.

Controlled or extended-release Oxycontin, which also contains oxycodone, releases oxycodone more slowly, and it can take up to 1 hour to start working.

References
  • Sadiq NM, Dice TJ, Mead T. Oxycodone. [Updated 2022 Aug 22]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482226/
  • Oxycodone [Product Information] Updated 02/2022 Major Pharmaceuticals https://www.drugs.com/pro/oxycodone.html
  • Oxycontin [Product Information] Updated 10/2021 Purdue Pharma LP  https://www.drugs.com/pro/oxycontin.html#s-34090-1

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