Oxycodone prescriptions have increased dramatically over the past 10 years, replacing prescriptions for morphine.
Researchers analysed trends in morphine and oxycodone prescriptions between 2002-03 and 2007-08.
There was an 152% increase in oxycodone prescriptions, coupled with a 20% decrease in morphine prescriptions.
Morphine and oxycodone prescriptions were highest in older Australians.
Read more at Medical Journal of Australia