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Department

Toxicology

Preferred Sample Type

Oxycodone

Suitable Specimen Types

  • Serum
  • EDTA Plasma
  • Li Hep Plasma
A minimum of 500 µl of plasma/serum is required.

Specimen Transport

First class post

Sample Processing in Laboratory

Place sample in toxicology rack.

Sample Preparation

None required

Turnaround Time

3 days.

Sample Stability

Keep refrigerated. 4 degrees.

Oxycodone

General Information

Oxycodone is a semisynthetic narcotic analgesic used since 1939 for relief of moderate to severe pain. Given subcutaneously, the drug is approximately equipotent with morphine, but it has a higher oral/parenteral efficacy ratio. The usual adult dose is 2.5 - 5 mg every 4 - 6 hours for the normal release forms and 10 - 80 mg every 12 hours for the extended release forms.

The adverse effects of oxycodone therapy include nausea, somnolence, dizziness, asthenia, diaphoresis, constipation and urinary retention. Oxycodone in overdosage is capable of producing stupor, coma, muscle flaccidity, severe respiratory depression, depression, hypotension and cardiac arrest. Naloxone is a specific antidote.

Patient Preparation

No patient preperation required.

Notes

Oxycodone measured by LC-MS/MS

Reference Range

Units ug/L

 

Please contact the laboratory for guidance in therapy 

Please contact the laboratory if oxycodone measurement is required for therapeutic monitoring purposes.

Specifications

  • EQA Scheme?: Yes
  • EQA Status: LGC QUARTZ, LGC CLIN TOX