Tylox

Tylox is a prescription pain reliever that contains acetaminophen and oxycodone. It is licensed to treat moderate to moderately severe pain and is either taken "as needed" or on a scheduled basis. Potential side effects include constipation, drowsiness, and nausea. Since Tylox has a high abuse potential, let your healthcare provider know if you have a history of alcohol or drug abuse before starting treatment.

 

What Is Tylox?

Tylox® (oxycodone/APAP) is a prescription medication approved to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. Like all oxycodone/APAP products, this medication is not appropriate for very severe pain.
 
Tylox is a narcotic and is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States. This means that special laws and regulations control its sale and use. Of all legal prescription medications, schedule II controlled substances have the highest abuse potential.
 
(Click Tylox Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Tylox?

Brand-name Tylox is made by Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Generic versions are made by various manufacturers.
 

How Does It Work?

Tylox contains two different medications that work together to control pain: acetaminophen and oxycodone hydrochloride. Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic, opioid pain reliever. It is chemically related to codeine. Oxycodone is effective at decreasing pain but also causes drowsiness and suppresses the drive to breathe (which is known medically as "respiratory suppression").
 
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer commonly found in non-prescription medications such as Tylenol®. "APAP" is an acronym for one of the chemical names for acetaminophen. Adding acetaminophen to oxycodone makes both medications more effective at relieving pain and may limit the abuse potential of oxycodone (as the maximum dose of Tylox is often limited by the acetaminophen content).
 

Is It Addictive?

People may become addicted to this medication. In fact, Tylox and other similar oxycodone/APAP medications are commonly abused drugs. They are readily available and relatively inexpensive, especially in generic form. People often prefer to abuse prescription medications like Tylox instead of illegal street drugs for perceived safety reasons. Because it is a highly desired drug of abuse, people often obtain it through illegal means, such as from foreign countries or online sources that do not require a prescription. People who abuse Tylox and suddenly stop using it are likely to experience withdrawal symptoms.
 
For more information, visit the following eMedTV articles:
 

When and How to Take Tylox

General considerations for when and how to take the medication include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in capsule form. It is taken by mouth, usually every six hours as needed for pain.
     
  • Tylox is either taken "as needed" or on a scheduled basis. "As needed" means you will only take a dose if you are experiencing pain (if you are not in pain, you will skip the dose), while "scheduled use" means you should take it on schedule, even if you are not in pain. Most healthcare providers prescribe it on an "as needed" basis, rather than a scheduled basis.
     
  • It is best to take this medication with food, as this may help reduce stomach upset.
     
  • Be careful not to exceed the maximum recommended daily dose, as this could lead to overdose symptoms or poisoning from the acetaminophen component, which can cause liver failure.
     
  • You may want to consider taking a laxative along with this medication (especially if you will take it regularly for more than a few days), as it often causes constipation (see Tylox and Constipation).
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Do not increase your dose or take it more frequently than prescribed without your healthcare provider's approval. If you have been taking Tylox for more than a few weeks, do not stop taking it suddenly without your healthcare provider's supervision (see Tylox Withdrawal).
     

Dosing Information

The dose that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • How you respond to Tylox
  • Other medications you are taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Tylox Dosage for more information.)
 

Potential Side Effects

As with any medicine, Tylox can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. Most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects of Tylox include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation (see Tylox and Constipation)
  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Itching
  • An unexplained pleasant feeling (euphoria) or an unexplained unpleasant feeling (dysphoria).
     
(Click Tylox Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

Drug Interactions With Tylox

Tylox can potentially interact with several other medicines (see Tylox Drug Interactions).
 

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking This Drug?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Tylox if you have:
 
  • A history of drug or alcohol dependence
  • Gallbladder or pancreas disease
  • Liver disease, such as cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatitis
  • Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
  • A head injury or high intracranial pressure
  • Severe abdominal (stomach) pain
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Addison's disease
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH)
  • Lung disease of any sort
  • Seizures or epilepsy
  • Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Tylox Warnings and Precautions to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

What If I Take an Overdose?

An overdose of this medication can be fatal. People who take too much Tylox may have overdose symptoms that could include:
 
  • Cold, clammy skin
  • A slow heart rate (bradycardia)
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Extreme drowsiness, leading to coma
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Sweating
  • Liver failure
  • Death.
     
If you happen to overdose on Tylox, seek immediate medical attention.
 
(Click Tylox Overdose for more information.)
 

Storage Methods

This medication should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep Tylox and all other medications out of the reach of children. Because it is a highly desired drug of abuse, make sure to keep it in a safe place.
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

Tylox is often prescribed on an "as needed" basis, which means you do not need to take a dose if you do not feel pain. If you forget to take a dose and notice significant pain, take your missed dose right away. However, make sure to wait the recommended time before the next dose.
 

Tylox Strengths

Tylox capsules are available in one strength -- Tylox 5/500 mg (5 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride and 500 mg of acetaminophen).
 

Generic Availability of Tylox

This medication is currently available in generic form (see Generic Tylox).
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;