| OxyContin
is the brand name for an opioid analgesic containing the
active ingredient oxycodone (also found in Percocet and
Percodan). OxyContin is a legal narcotic that is available, by
prescription, to treat severe pain. OxyContin is a
controlled-release medication that, when used correctly,
provides extended relief of pain associated with cancer, back
pain, or arthritis. However, often when the drug
is |
| abused, the
tablets are crushed and snorted, chewed, or mixed with water and
injected- eliminating the time-release factor and allowing for a
quick and intense rush to the brain. This practice can lead to
overdosing on OxyContin's active ingredient, oxycodone, by releasing
too much of the medication into the bloodstream too quickly.
OxyContin is highly addictive - so higher doses of the drug must be
taken when a tolerance develops. Illicit users of the drug have
risen drastically and steadily over the last few years.
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Street Names
OxyContin is also known as Oxy, OxyCotton, Oxy
80 (for the 80mg dose), or OC. |
What Does OxyContin Look Like?
OxyContin most commonly exists in tablet form. These round
pills come in 10mg, 20mg, 40mg, 80mg and 160mg dosages. OxyContin
also comes in capsule or liquid form.
Short-term Effects
The
most serious risk associated with OxyContin, is respiratory
depression. Because of this, OxyContin should not be combined with
other substances that slow down breathing, such as alcohol,
antihistamines (like some cold or allergy medication), barbiturates,
or benzodiazepines. Other common side effects include constipation,
nausea, sedation, dizziness, vomiting, headache, dry mouth,
sweating, and weakness. Toxic overdose and/or death can occur by
taking the tablet broken, chewed, or crushed. People who abuse the
drug (by removing the time-release coating) will experience effects
for up to 5 hours. The high that is felt is opiate-like - a sedate,
euphoric feeling.
Long-term Effects
Using
OxyContin chronically can result in increased tolerance to the drug
in which higher doses of the medication must be taken to receive the
initial effect. Over time, OxyContin will be come physically
addictive, causing a person to experience withdrawal symptoms when
the drug is not present. Symptoms of withdrawal include
restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting,
cold flashes with goose bumps, and involuntary leg movements.
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