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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.(1) OxyContin®
contains oxycodone, the medication's active ingredient, in
a timed-release tablet. Oxycodone products have been illicitly
abused for the past 30 years.(2)
Street Names
Kicker, OC, Oxy, OX, Blue, Oxycotton, Hillybilly Heroin
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).(5)
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.(6)
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.(7)
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.(8)
Information contained above is courtesy of US Drug Enforcement
Administration for more information please visit: http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/oxycontin.html#3
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