The pharmacological profile, therapeutic importance and limitations with the use of oxycodone: a review

Abstract

Introduction: Pain is perhaps the commonest symptom for which patients seek medical care and represents a major socioeconomical burden on healthcare systems globally. Despite a great deal of research into pain and analgesic strategies, the effective management of pain remains challenging. Oxycodone is an old drug but still holds significant therapeutic utility today. Its use has however been fraught with challenges such as abuse. Furthermore, the precise mechanism of action/receptors through which it acts is still the subject of some controversy.

Materials and Methods: A literature search on PubMed and google scholar was performed using the terms 'opioid crisis' 'pain pathway', 'types of nociception', 'opioid receptors' 'peripheral and central sensitisation', 'descending modulation pathway', 'pain management'. Studies, review articles and editorials published in English from 1st Jan 2000 to 1st Dec 2023 were included in this study.

Results: The depth of the problem of the opioid crisis and the effects in different continents has prevented the global utilization of oxycodone; the pharmacological profile of oxycodone which is an old drug with current clinical relevance was also reviewed. Significantly, there exists a gap in existing knowledge of the mechanism of action and precise receptors through which oxycodone acts.

Conclusion: The pain pathway is a complex process with multiple interdependent processes and under modulations from neuronal, endocrine, and inflammatory systems. Oxycodone exploits the pain pathway in producing analgesia but presents a real and present danger of addiction and dependence.