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Challenges of the Oxycodone Hydrochloride Shortage
Gursan Gunes Yenidogan1, Nagihan Duran Yakar1, Enise Alioglu1
1Department of Pain Medicine, Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu City Hospital, 34384 Istanbul, Turkey.
Reports (MDPI)
|June 25, 2026
Summary
The oxycodone shortage worsened pain control in cancer patients, leading to increased pain intensity and treatment changes. Uninterrupted access to essential opioids is crucial for effective cancer pain management.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pain Management
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The immediate-release oxycodone hydrochloride shortage posed challenges for managing cancer pain.
- Opioid analgesics are essential for effective pain control in oncology patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical impact of the oxycodone shortage on cancer patients.
- To evaluate treatment adaptations and pain management outcomes during the shortage.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, observational study during the oxycodone shortage (May 2024-March 2025).
- Assessed pain intensity using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) before and after switching analgesics.
- Analyzed changes in pain intensity (ΔNRS), defining clinically meaningful worsening as ≥2 points.
Main Results:
- 55 cancer patients with pain were included; mean age 65.2 years, 63.6% male.
- Mean NRS scores increased significantly from 4.3 to 5.9 (p < 0.001) during the shortage.
- Clinically meaningful pain worsening (ΔNRS ≥2) occurred in 65.5% of patients.
Conclusions:
- The oxycodone shortage negatively impacted pain control in cancer patients.
- Increased treatment modifications were necessary, highlighting the critical need for consistent opioid availability.
- Ensuring uninterrupted access to essential opioids is vital for effective cancer pain management.
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