OxyContin

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About OxyContin

What it is

Oxycodone is a strong opioid pain medicine that acts on mu opioid receptors. It is used for moderate to severe pain, after surgery, in cancer and for some long-lasting pain, as immediate- and extended-release tablets, often combined with paracetamol (Percocet) or naloxone (Targin). It is sold as OxyContin and Roxicodone, among other names.

How genes come into it

Oxycodone is broken down mainly by CYP3A4 into noroxycodone, and partly by CYP2D6 into oxymorphone, a much stronger opioid. Studies link CYP2D6 ultrarapid metabolizers to more oxymorphone and side effects, and poor metabolizers to somewhat less relief, but oxycodone works mostly on its own, so CPIC found the evidence too weak for a recommendation. Studies have also looked at OPRM1, COMT and CYP3A4/5, with mixed results.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and OxyContin. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (21 rated variants)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

CYP2D6 CYP2D6*1, CYP2D6*1xN, CYP2D6*2, CYP2D6*2xN, CYP2D6*3, CYP2D6*4, CYP2D6*5, CYP2D6*6, CYP2D6*7: Level 2A · replicated. Metabolism/PK: Pain. 10.

OPRM1 rs1799971: Level 3. Dosage: Pain, Pain, Postoperative. 3.

CYP3A5 CYP3A5*1, CYP3A5*3: Level 3. Dosage. 2.

ABCB1 rs1045642: Level 3. Dosage: Pain. 2.

Metabolism (8 findings)

Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.

CYP2C19 CYP2C19 poor metabolizers and intermediate metabolizers: CYP2C19 poor metabolizers and intermediate metabolizers are associated with decreased metabolism of oxycodone as compared to CYP2C19 normal metabolizer and ultrarapid metabolizer.

CYP2D6 CYP2D6 poor metabolizer and intermediate metabolizer genotypes: CYP2D6 poor metabolizer and intermediate metabolizer genotypes are associated with increased concentrations of noroxycodone or oxycodone as compared to CYP2D6 normal metabolizer and ultrarapid metabolizer genotypes.

CYP2D6 CYP2D6 poor metabolizer genotype: CYP2D6 poor metabolizer is associated with increased exposure to oxycodone in healthy individuals as compared to CYP2D6 normal metabolizer.

CYP2D6 CYP2D6 poor metabolizers and intermediate metabolizers: CYP2D6 poor metabolizers and intermediate metabolizers are associated with decreased metabolism of oxycodone as compared to CYP2D6 normal metabolizer and ultrarapid metabolizer.

Response (33 findings)

Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.

rs6848893: Genotype CT is associated with decreased response to oxycodone as compared to genotype TT.

COMT rs4680: Genotypes AA + AG are associated with increased response to oxycodone as compared to genotype GG.

CYP2D6 CYP2D6 poor metabolizer: CYP2D6 poor metabolizer is associated with decreased clinical benefit to codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone or tramadol in people with Pain as compared to CYP2D6 normal metabolizer.

CYP2D6 CYP2D6 poor metabolizers and intermediate metabolizers: CYP2D6 intermediate metabolizer and poor metabolizer are associated with decreased response to codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone or tramadol in people with Neoplasms and Pain as compared to CYP2D6 normal metabolizer.

Dosing (14 findings)

Studies of how much of the drug people needed or tolerated.

ABCB1 rs1045642: Allele A is associated with decreased dose of buprenorphine, dihydrocodeine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, piritramide, tilidine or tramadol in people with Pain as compared to allele G.

CYP2D6 CYP2D6 ultrarapid metabolizer: CYP2D6 ultrarapid metabolizer is associated with increased dose of fentanyl, hydromorphone, opioids, oxycodone or tramadol in women with surgery as compared to CYP2D6 normal metabolizer and intermediate metabolizer and poor metabolizer.

CYP3A5 CYP3A5*1, CYP3A5*3: CYP3A5 *3/*3 is associated with increased dose of oxycodone in people with Neoplasms as compared to CYP3A5 *1/*1 + *1/*3.

OPRM1 rs1799971: Genotype AA is associated with increased dose of fentanyl, hydromorphone, opioids, oxycodone or tramadol in women with surgery as compared to genotype AG.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Alfenta (Opioids)

Codeine (Opioids)

Demerol (Opioids)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

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Content updated September 2026.

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