The present invention is in the field of oral, abuse resistant pharmaceutical compositions of opioid agonists, extended release pharmaceutical compositions of opioid agonists and extended release abuse resistant pharmaceutical compositions of opioid agonists and the use thereof. The present invention is also directed to extended release pharmaceutical compositions and the use thereof for preventing or minimizing the risk of abuse and/or toxicity from either intentional or unintentional tampering. The present invention is further directed at a method of preventing or minimizing the risk of abuse and/or toxicity from either intentional or unintentional tampering.