SB - First, why is your sister taking the Oxycontinª (oxycodone controlled-release)? Is she taking any other pain medication on a regular basis. Usually the Oxycontin is taken twice daily because of long-acting effects due to slow release of the drug from the tablet. The doc would prescribe a breakthrough medication the is quick acting like a regular oxycodone tablet (Supeudolª, Oxycetª, Endocetª; and is the main ingredient in Percodanª and Percocetª), morphine tablets (many brands), codeine (Tylenol# 3 & #4, et al), or even antiflammatories.

Is the pain chronic (ie. life long or long-term - longer than 3 months) or acute (ie. broken leg, broken arm)? Quite often acute pain can change into chronic pain if the problem that caused the pain is not "fixed" properly (eg. a broken leg that mends wrong kicked where it counts kinda pain)

The treatment of pain varies and the doctor has to assess the level of pain, where it comes from, and what is causing it. Then a treatment is individualized to the patient.

I can give a more thorough answer, knowing the answers to these questions. I will be away until Friday, but will try to answer questions at that time.