DOSAGE FORMS, COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR THE CONTROLLED RELEASE OF OXYCODONE OVER A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME ARE DESCRIBED. THE PRESENT INVENTION DISCLOSES A NOVEL MEANS FOR DELIVERING VARYING DOSES OF OXYCODONE USING A DRUG COMPOSITION HAVING ONLY OXYCODONE, A POLYMER CARRIER AND VARYING AMOUNTS OF SALT TO PROVIDE A PARTICULAR VISCOSITY OF THE HYDRATED DRUG CORE FOR DELIVERY OF THE DRUG AT THE DESIRED RELEASE RATE. THE PRESENT INVENTION FUNCTIONS BY MODULATING THE VISCOSITY OF THE HYDRATED DRUG LAYER IN OPERATION BY THE ADDITION OR REDUCTION OF SALTS IN THE DRUG COMPOSITION. THE SYSTEM IS INDEPENDENT OF SOLUBILITY ENHANCERS OF pH MODIFIERS. THE SUSTAINED RELEASE DOSAGE FORMS PROVIDE THERAPEUTICALLY EFFECTIVE AVERAGE STEADY-STATE PLASMA OXYCODONE CONCENTRATIONS WHEN ADMINISTERED ONCE PER DAY. THE MOAST ILLUSTRATIVE DRAWING IS FIGURE 3.
