Oxycodone is a potent and potentially addictive opioidanalgesicmedication synthesized from thebaine. However it is an important medication for treatment of pain in cancer patients. It was developed in 1916 in Germany and introduced to the pharmaceutical market as Eukodal^® (also spelled Eucodal) and Dinarkon^®. Its chemical name is derived from codeine- the chemical structures are very similar, differing only in that the hydroxyl group of codeine has been oxidized to a ketone group, hence 'oxycodone', and in the 7,8-dihydro-feature (Codeine has a double-bond between those two carbons).

It is effective orally and is marketed in combination with aspirin (Percodan, Endodan, Roxiprin) or paracetamol/acetaminophen (Percocet, Endocet, Roxicet, Tylox) for the relief of pain. More recently, ibuprofen has been added to oxycodone (Combunox). It is also sold in a sustained-release form by Purdue Pharmaunder the trade name OxyContin (the name is actually short for Oxycodone Continuous release) as well as generic equivalents, and instant-release forms Endone, OxyIR, OxyNorm, Percolone, OxyFAST, Supeudol, and Roxicodone.