1. A cured shaped pharmaceutical tablet comprising: (1) at least a first compression shaped and then air cured matrix, wherein said curing is without compression, by heated air having a temperature of at least about 62.degree. C. for a duration of at least about 5 minutes, said matrix comprising oxycodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in combination with at least one high molecular weight polyethylene oxide having, based on rheological measurements, an approximate molecular weight selected from the group consisting of 4,000,000, 7,000,000, and a combination thereof, and optionally further comprising at least one low molecular weight polyethylene oxide having, based on rheological measurements, an approximate molecular weight of less than 1,000,000; (2) optionally a second air cured matrix comprising oxycodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in combination with at least one low molecular weight polyethylene oxide having, based on rheological measurements, an approximate molecular weight of less than 1,000,000; and (3) optionally a coating, wherein, in said tablet: (i) said oxycodone or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is provided in a dose selected from the group consisting of 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg; the total combined weight of said low molecular weight polyethylene oxide, if present, and said high molecular weight polyethylene oxide is at least 79% by weight of the total weight of said tablet, excluding the weight of any coatings; and said low molecular weight polyethylene oxide, if present, is at least 10% by weight of the total weight of said tablet, excluding the weight of any coatings; or (ii) said oxycodone or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is provided in a dose selected from the group consisting of 40 mg, 60 mg, and 80 mg; the total combined weight of said low molecular weight polyethylene oxide, if present, and said high molecular weight polyethylene oxide is at least 65% by weight of the total weight of said tablet, excluding the weight of any coatings; and said low molecular weight polyethylene oxide, if present, is at least 10% by weight of the total weight of said tablet, excluding the weight of any coatings; and said tablet provides a dosage form for twice-daily extended release administration of oxycodone or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

1. A method of treating pain comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical tablet comprising: (1) at least a first compression shaped and then air cured matrix, wherein said curing is without compression by heated air having a temperature of at least about 62.degree. C. for a duration of at least about 5 minutes, said matrix comprising oxycodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in combination with at least one high molecular weight polyethylene oxide having, based on rheological measurements, an approximate molecular weight selected from the group consisting of 4,000,000, 7,000,000, and a combination thereof, and optionally further comprising at least one low molecular weight polyethylene oxide having, based on rheological measurements, an approximate molecular weight of less than 1,000,000; (2) optionally a second air cured matrix comprising oxycodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in combination with at least one low molecular weight polyethylene oxide having, based on rheological measurements, an approximate molecular weight of less than 1,000,000; and (3) optionally a coating, wherein in said tablet: (i) said oxycodone or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is provided in a dose selected from the group consisting of 10 mg, 15, mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg; the total combined weight of said low molecular weight polyethylene oxide, if present, and said high molecular weight polyethylene oxide is at least 79% by weight of the total weight of said tablet, excluding the weight of any coatings; and said low molecular weight polyethylene oxide, if present, is at least 10% by weight of the total weight of said uncoated tablet, excluding the weight of any coatings; or (ii) said oxycodone or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is provided in a dose selected from the group consisting of 40 mg, 60 mg, and 80 mg; the total combined weight of said low molecular weight polyethylene oxide, if present, and said high molecular weight polyethylene oxide is at least 65% by weight of the total weight of said tablet, excluding the weight of any coatings; and said low molecular weight polyethylene oxide, if present, is at least 10% by weight of the total weight of said tablet, excluding the weight of any coatings; and said tablet provides a dosage form for twice-daily extended release administration of oxycodone or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.