Abstract: A method for substantially reducing the range in daily dosages required to control pain in approximately 90% of patients is disclosed whereby an oral solid controlled release dosage formulation having from about 10 to about 40 mg of oxycodone or a salt thereof is administered to a patient. The formulation provides a mean maximum plasma concentration of oxycodone from about 6 to about 60 ng/ml from a mean of about 2 to about 4.5 hours after administration, and a mean minimum plasma concentration from about 3 to about 30 ng/ml from about 10 to about 14 hours after repeated "q12h" (i.e., every 12 hour) administration through steady-state conditions.

Abstract: A method for substantially reducing the range in daily dosages required to control pain in approximately 90% of patients is disclosed whereby an oral solid controlled release dosage formulation having from about 10 to about 40 mg of oxycodone or a salt thereof is administered to a patient. The formulation provides a mean maximum plasma concentration of oxycodone from about 6 to about 60 ng/ml from a mean of about 2 to about 4.5 hours after administration, and a mean minimum plasma concentration from about 3 to about 30 ng/ml from about 10 to about 14 hours after repeated "q12h" (i.e. every 12 hour) administration through steady-state conditions.

Abstract: A solid controlled release, oral dosage form, the dosage form comprising a therapeutically effective amount of oxycodone or a salt thereof in a matrix wherein the dissolution rate in vitro of the dosage form, when measured by the USP Paddle Method of 100 rpm in 900 ml aqueous buffer (pH between 1.6 and 7.2) at 37.degree. C. is between 12.5% and 42.5% (by weight) oxycodone released after 1 hour, between 25% and 55% (by weight) oxycodone released after 2 hours, between 45% and 75% (by weight) oxycodone released after 4 hours and between 55% and 85% (by weight) oxycodone released after 6 hours, the in vitro release rate being independent of pH between pH 1.6 and 7.2 and chosen such that the peak plasma level of oxycodone obtained in vivo occurs between 2 and 4 hours after administration of the dosage form.