Oxycodone immediate release tablets: Amneal is the new brand

Brand change Active

Mundipharma, the supplier of the OxyNorm brand of oxycodone immediate release capsules, is leaving the New Zealand market. We have sourced an alternative brand, Oxycodone Amneal immediate release tablets.

11 October 2024 update

Delisting dates added for the OxyNorm capsules

Oxycodone Amneal immediate release tablets available now

We have sourced supply of oxycodone immediate release tablets, called Oxycodone Amneal. 

What’s changed?

  • This brand is a tablet not a capsule.
  • Oxycodone Amneal tablets have the same active ingredient as OxyNorm oxycodone capsules and they work in the body in the same way.

Oxycodone Amneal was listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 July, initially as a Section 29 medicine. It now has Medsafe approval. 

  • 5 mg tab (Pharmacode 2681919)
  • 10 mg tab (Pharmacode 2681927)
  • 20 mg tab (Pharmacode 2681935) 

Schedule listings for Oxycodone Amneal immediate-release tablets(external link)

For people who take oxycodone immediate release tablets

Oxycodone is a strong opioid pain reliever. The Healthify website has great advice on what you need to know about taking opioids.

Opioid medicines overview – Healthify(external link)

If you take other forms of oxycodone (such as oxycodone controlled-release tablets) you might now be taking a tablet for both immediate and controlled release oxycodone.

All three strengths have a score mark on one side. The 10 mg is pinkish while the 5 and 20 are white..
Amneal Oxycodone tablets (not shown to scale)

Review prescribing practice

We have received clinical advice that it may be appropriate for clinicians to review their prescribing practice around opioids. 

Revisiting opioid use in New Zealand: how does your prescribing compare? BPACnz(external link)

Timeline

May 2024: supplier out of stock of OxyNorm 10 mg capsules

1 July 2024: Oxycodone Amneal 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg tablets listed on Pharmaceutical Schedule

July 2024: supplier out of stock of OxyNorm 5 mg capsules

October 2024: estimated out of stock of OxyNorm 20 mg capsules

1 October 2024: OxyNorm 10 mg capsule delisted

1 December 2024: OxyNorm 5 mg capsule to be delisted

1 March 2025: OxyNorm 20 mg capsule to be delisted

Who to contact

If you have questions about this issue, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz

Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.  

Sign up to our email list for regular emails about supply issues and more(external link)