Comprehensive medication guide to Prolate including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$5–$30 copay for generic oxycodone/acetaminophen on most commercial and Medicare Part D plans (Tier 1–2); brand Prolate may not be covered or may require prior authorization and carry higher copays.
Estimated Cash Pricing
Brand-name Prolate retails for $4,000–$4,500 per fill; generic oxycodone/acetaminophen (same active ingredients) retails for $50–$110 and costs as little as $17–$25 with a GoodRx or SingleCare coupon for a 30-day supply.
Medfinder Findability Score
42/100
On this page
Prolate is a brand-name prescription pain medication manufactured by Forte Bio-Pharma LLC. Each tablet combines two active pain-relieving ingredients: oxycodone hydrochloride (a powerful opioid analgesic) and acetaminophen (a non-opioid analgesic). Prolate is available in three strengths: 5mg/300mg, 7.5mg/300mg, and 10mg/300mg.
Prolate is FDA-approved for the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative non-opioid treatments are inadequate. It is commonly prescribed for post-surgical pain, trauma-related injuries, cancer pain, and certain chronic pain conditions.
A key differentiating feature of Prolate is its lower acetaminophen content — 300mg per tablet compared to the 325mg found in Percocet and most generic oxycodone/acetaminophen formulations. This 25mg reduction can meaningfully lower cumulative daily acetaminophen exposure for patients taking multiple doses, which is clinically relevant for those near the safe daily APAP threshold.
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
Need this medication?
Prolate works through two complementary mechanisms of action. The oxycodone component is a full mu-opioid receptor agonist that binds to opioid receptors throughout the brain and spinal cord, blocking pain signal transmission and altering the emotional response to pain. Oxycodone is derived from thebaine, a naturally occurring opium alkaloid, and has an oral bioavailability of approximately 87%.
The acetaminophen component works through central nervous system pathways, including inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in the brain and modulation of endocannabinoid and serotonin pathways. Because the two ingredients work through entirely different mechanisms, their combination provides additive (and potentially synergistic) pain relief — greater than either component alone at equivalent doses.
Prolate is an immediate-release formulation. Pain relief typically begins within 30–60 minutes and lasts approximately 4–6 hours, which is why the standard dosing schedule is one tablet every 6 hours as needed for pain.
5 mg / 300 mg — tablet
One tablet every 6 hours as needed; maximum 12 tablets per day
7.5 mg / 300 mg — tablet
One tablet every 6 hours as needed; maximum 8 tablets per day
10 mg / 300 mg — tablet
One tablet every 6 hours as needed; maximum 6 tablets per day
Finding Prolate at a local pharmacy can be genuinely difficult — and not because of a formal FDA shortage. Prolate is a Schedule II controlled substance, which means its manufacture is subject to DEA aggregate production quotas, and pharmacy ordering is subject to distributor thresholds. As a brand-name product from a smaller manufacturer (Forte Bio-Pharma LLC), most chain pharmacies do not routinely stock it, preferring generic oxycodone/acetaminophen instead.
Unlike most medications, pharmacies generally cannot confirm Schedule II inventory over the phone to unverified callers — a DEA anti-diversion safeguard. This means patients cannot simply call around to find which pharmacies have Prolate in stock. Independent pharmacies are generally better sources than chains for specialty brand products like Prolate.
That's where medfinder comes in. medfinder is a paid service that contacts pharmacies near you to find which ones can fill your Prolate prescription, delivering results by text — saving you from hours of calls.
Prolate is a Schedule II controlled substance, which means it can only be prescribed by licensed healthcare providers who hold an active DEA registration authorizing Schedule II prescribing. The prescribing process requires an in-person evaluation under most federal regulations — telemedicine prescribing of CII drugs without a prior in-person visit is generally prohibited under the Ryan Haight Act.
Types of healthcare providers who commonly prescribe Prolate include:
Pain management specialists
Primary care physicians (MDs and DOs)
Orthopedic surgeons and general surgeons
Oncologists (for cancer-related pain)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) with Schedule II DEA registration (requirements vary by state)
Telehealth availability for Prolate is extremely limited. Under current federal law, a prescriber must conduct a qualifying in-person evaluation before prescribing a Schedule II controlled substance to a new patient via telemedicine in most circumstances. Established patients with an existing provider relationship may be able to receive follow-up care via telehealth in certain states.
Yes. Prolate is classified as a Schedule II (CII) controlled substance under the DEA's Controlled Substances Act because it contains oxycodone, which has a high potential for abuse leading to severe psychological or physical dependence. Schedule II is the most restrictive category for drugs that have accepted medical uses in the United States.
Schedule II classification has significant practical implications for patients:
No refills — each fill requires a new written or electronic prescription from your provider
Cannot be dispensed by mail-order pharmacy under most circumstances
Prescriptions are typically valid for only 30 days from the date written
Telehealth prescribing of Prolate requires a prior in-person evaluation under federal law in most circumstances
The FDA also requires an Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for Prolate, which means prescribers are expected to complete opioid-specific education and counsel patients on the risks of addiction, respiratory depression, and safe storage.
Most patients experience at least some of these expected side effects, particularly when starting Prolate or adjusting the dose:
Constipation (very common; typically requires a stimulant laxative)
Drowsiness and sedation
Nausea and vomiting
Dizziness and lightheadedness
Headache, pruritus (itching), sweating, dry mouth
Life-threatening respiratory depression (slow or stopped breathing — call 911)
Addiction and physical dependence
Hepatotoxicity (liver damage from acetaminophen overdose)
Severe hypotension and syncope
Serotonin syndrome (when combined with serotonergic drugs)
Adrenal insufficiency (with prolonged use)
Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (with use during pregnancy)
Know what you need? Skip the search.
Generic oxycodone/acetaminophen
Identical active ingredients; contains 325mg APAP vs. Prolate's 300mg. Far more widely stocked and dramatically less expensive. Appropriate for most patients.
Hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Norco, Vicodin)
Schedule II opioid combination using hydrocodone instead of oxycodone. Oxycodone is ~1.5x more potent; dose conversion needed. Generally more available at pharmacies.
Oxycodone alone (generic, Roxicodone)
Immediate-release oxycodone without acetaminophen. Appropriate when APAP component is not needed or when high APAP doses are a concern.
Tramadol/acetaminophen (Ultracet)
Schedule IV (lower abuse potential). Less potent than oxycodone. May be appropriate for moderate pain where a CII opioid is not required. Not suitable for everyone.
Prefer Prolate? We can find it.
Benzodiazepines (alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam)
majorCombined use causes profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Black box warning.
Alcohol
majorEnhances CNS depression and significantly increases acetaminophen hepatotoxicity risk. Should be completely avoided.
CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, erythromycin, ritonavir)
majorIncrease oxycodone plasma concentrations, potentially causing fatal respiratory depression.
MAOIs (phenelzine, tranylcypromine, linezolid)
majorContraindicated; risk of serotonin syndrome or opioid toxicity. Do not use within 14 days of MAOI.
Gabapentin/pregabalin
majorCombined use significantly increases risk of respiratory depression and opioid overdose death.
SSRIs/SNRIs (fluoxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine)
majorRisk of serotonin syndrome; monitor for agitation, fever, rapid heart rate.
CYP3A4 inducers (rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin)
moderateDecrease oxycodone plasma concentrations, reducing efficacy or precipitating withdrawal.
Other acetaminophen-containing products
majorRisk of hepatotoxicity from exceeding the 4,000mg/day acetaminophen limit. Include all OTC cold/flu/sleep products in daily APAP count.
Muscle relaxants (cyclobenzaprine, carisoprodol)
moderateEnhanced CNS and respiratory depression.
St. John's Wort
moderateCYP3A4 inducer; may reduce oxycodone blood levels and reduce pain control.
Prolate is a clinically effective combination opioid analgesic offering the unique advantage of a lower acetaminophen content (300mg per tablet) compared to most oxycodone/acetaminophen formulations. This can make it a preferred choice for patients who require multiple daily opioid doses and need to minimize cumulative acetaminophen exposure.
However, as a brand-name product from a smaller specialty manufacturer, Prolate can be genuinely difficult to find at retail pharmacies — not due to an FDA shortage, but due to the structural realities of Schedule II opioid distribution: DEA production quotas, distributor ordering thresholds, and pharmacy stocking preferences that favor generic equivalents. Most patients will either need to work with independent pharmacies or consider switching to the generic with their doctor's approval.
If you're having trouble finding Prolate in stock, medfinder is a paid service that contacts pharmacies near you to find which ones can fill your prescription — saving you hours of calls and helping you get your medication when you need it.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
Real-time availability
Medfinder is actively checking pharmacy inventory for Prolate. We don't publish a number until we have enough verified pharmacy checks to be accurate — start a search and our team confirms current availability near you, usually within 24 hours.
ChatGPT
Claude
Gemini