Oxycodone oral liquid (Lucis): Supply issue

Affected product

Due to supply issues affecting oxycodone immediate release tablets, stock of the oral liquid is now running low. Stock of the oral liquid is available at hospital and community pharmacies across the motu.

The 5 mg oxycodone immediate release tablets are available again. The 10 and 20 mg immediate release tablets will be unavailable until May 2025. 

More information about the supply issue affecting the oxycodone immediate release tablets

Oxycodone hydrochloride

• Presentation: Oral liq 1 mg per ml
• Brand: Oxycodone Lucis
• Pharmacode: 2678500
• Subsidy: $37.08
• Measure / Qty: per 250 ml

Schedule listing for Oxycodone Lucis(external link)

Alternatives

We ask that the oxycodone is prioritised for people who cannot take morphine.

Clinicians need to decide on the most suitable alternative for their patient, based on the available products. The oxycodone‌ 5 mg immediate release tablets are available and stock of the morphine oral liquid 1 mg per ml is available. 

• If you cannot source oxycodone oral liquid, Amneal oxycodone tablets can be dispersed in water.
• People will need a new prescription for oxycodone tablets.
• Please include dispersing instructions on the label if appropriate.
• 1 Amneal Oxycodone tablet can be dispersed in 6 – 7 ml of water and consumed immediately. Discard any remainder.

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)

People who to take oral liquid oxycodone

If you cannot access oral liquid oxycodone, you will need to talk to the person who prescribed it for you. They will need to look at the available alternatives and consider what will work best for you.

Expected resolution

The next shipment is expected to arrive before the end of April. It can take another 1 to 2 weeks for stock to reach pharmacies around the motu.  

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.

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