OxyContin® is a prescription
painkiller used for moderate to high pain relief
associated with injuries, bursitis, dislocations, fractures,
neuralgia, arthritis, lower back pain, and pain associated
with cancer.
OxyContin® contains oxycodone, the
medication's active ingredient, in a timed-release tablet.
Oxycodone products have been illicitly abused for the
past 30 years. Oxycodone is a Schedule II narcotic analgesic
and is widely used in clinical medicine. It is marketed
either alone as controlled release (OxyContin®) and
immediate release formulations (OxyIR®, OxyFast®),
or in combination with other nonnarcotic analgesics such
as aspirin (Percodan®) or acetaminophen
(Percocet®).
The introduction in 1996 of OxyContin®, commonly known
on the street as OC, OX, Oxy, Oxycotton, Hillbilly
heroin, and kicker, led to a marked escalation
of its abuse as reported by drug abuse treatment centers,
law enforcement personnel, and health care professionals.
Although the diversion and abuse of OxyContin® appeared
initially in the eastern US, it has now spread to the
western US including Alaska and Hawaii.
Oxycodone-related adverse health effects increased markedly
in recent years. In 2004, Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) approved for marketing generic forms of controlled
release oxycodone products.
Oxycodone is a potentially addictive opioid
analgesic medication synthesized from thebaine. It is
a commonly used medication for treatment of pain in cancer
patients. It was developed in 1916 in Germany and introduced
to the pharmaceutical market as Eukodal®
(also spelled Eucodal) and Dinarkon®.
Its chemical name is derived from codeine - the chemical
structures are very similar, differing only in that the
hydroxyl group of codeine has been oxidized (hence the
"oxy" prefix) to a carbonyl group (as in ketones),
hence the "-one" suffix, the 7,8-dihydro-feature
(Codeine has a double-bond between those two carbons),
and the hydroxyl group at carbon 9 (codeine has just a
hydrogen there), hence "oxy"codone.In the United
States, oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled substance
both as a single agent and in combination with products
containing paracetamol (aka acetaminophen), ibuprofen
or aspirin. It was first introduced to the US market in
May 1939.
Symptoms of Abuse
Oxycontin side effects can include
physical dependence when oxycontin is used for a long
period of time. Physical dependence is the condition
in which an oxycontin user's body will show negative
effects when the oxycontin use is suddenly stopped.
Another common oxycontin side effect is addiction,
which can commonly occur to users of mind-altering drugs.
A serious oxycontin side effect that can occur when
the drug is used is death. Other, less dangerous oxycontin
side effects are dizziness and confusion, shortness
of breath, constipation, sweating, dry mouth, headache,
and sedation.
Short Term Effects
Pharmacological effects include analgesia,
sedation, euphoria, feelings of relaxation, respiratory
depression, constipation, papillary constriction, and
cough suppression. A 10 mg dose of orally-administered
oxycodone is equivalent to a 10 mg dose of subcutaneously
administered morphine as an analgesic in a normal population.
Oxycodone’s behavioral effects can last up to
5 hours. The drug is most often administered orally.
The controlled-release product, OxyContin®, has
a longer duration of action (8-12 hours).
The most serious risk associated with opioids, including
OxyContin®, is respiratory depression. Common opioid
side effects are constipation, nausea, sedation, dizziness,
vomiting, headache, dry mouth, sweating, and weakness.
Taking a large single dose of an opioid could cause
severe respiratory depression that can lead to death.
Long Term Effects
As with most opiates, oxycodone abuse may lead to dependence
and tolerance. Acute overdose of oxycodone can produce
severe respiratory depression, skeletal muscle flaccidity,
cold and clammy skin, reduction in blood pressure and
heart rate, coma, respiratory arrest, and death.
Chronic use of opioids can result in tolerance for
the drugs, which means that users must take higher doses
to achieve the same initial effects. Long-term use also
can lead to physical dependence and addiction -- the
body adapts to the presence of the drug, and withdrawal
symptoms occur if use is reduced or stopped. Properly
managed medical use of pain relievers is safe and rarely
causes clinical addiction, defined as compulsive, often
uncontrollable use of drugs. Taken exactly as prescribed,
opioids can be used to manage pain effectively.
Information contained above is courtesy of US Drug Enforcement
Administration for more information please visit: http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/oxycontin.html#3
Sea
also prescription drug abuse
If you have come across our Addiction Treatment
Center web site, is because you or someone
you love is in need of help for Oxycodone addiction.
Cove Center for Recovery is an Addiction Treatment
Center offering a premier drug addiction
treatment program that can help you or your
loved one. Our aim is to treat the whole person, and
not just an isolated symptom. During the addiction
treatment process we will work with the client
to identify the factors that may have contributed to
their addiction– home, work, relationships and
medical history. We also believe that families have
a vital role to play in the recovery process, and each
program has a place for family participation, to educate
them in the addiction treatment process
and to equip them for their role as supporters.
Call us at 1-888-387-6237 for further information on
our OxyContin® addiction treatment
program. Together, we can discuss how you may benefit
from seeking treatment at Cove Center for Recovery.
Reach out to us. Recovery from addiction is just a click or a phone call away.
If the information you are looking for is not found here and you need immediate
attention you may contact us:
Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237
Addiction Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
You may also send us e-mail.
Please keep in mind that e-mails are answered within 24 hours Monday
through Friday.
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