Oxycodone
From Drug Rehab Wiki
First developed in Germany in 1916, oxycodone is a narcotic (opioid) painkiller in the same drug family as heroin, morphine and codeine. It is made from both natural and synthetic chemicals. Doctors prescribe oxycodone for moderate to severe pain from fractures, dislocations, severe injuries, arthritis, bursitis, lower back pain, and neuralgia. Highly addictive, oxycodone acts in the brain, and if misused, it can slow breathing to the point of death. Patients who can tolerate drugs made from opium or who have used it before are the only ones prescribed oxydocone, because those who are allergic can die the first time they use it.
Oxycodone comes in pure form or in combinations with other painkillers, such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen. It usually is in pill or tablet form, and some are time-released versions. Brand names are OxyContin, Roxicodone, Endodan, Percodan, Percodan-Demi, Percocet, Endocet, Magnacet, Narvox, Percocet, Roxicet, Tylox, Roxiprin, and Ocycocet. This drug interacts with many other drugs, especially ones that cause drowsiness such as anti-histamines, sedatives, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and other opiates. It also interacts with buprenorphine; medications for mental illness, nausea, or seizures; muscle relaxants; nalbuphine; naloxone; nalmefene; pentazocil; and some anti-depressants.
Side effects can be sleepiness, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dry mouth, constipation, sweating, itching, flushing, headache, moodiness, red eyes or pinpoint pupils, and slowed heartbeat and breathing.
Oxycodone is rapidly becoming of the United States' most commonly abused drugs, based on the number of admissions to centers that treat addictions and emergency room statistics. Since doctors write about six million prescriptions for it annually, the drug is widely available in home medicine cabinets. According to government figures, one in 20 high school seniors have experimented with it, and they often move on to heroin after becoming addicted to it because heroin is less expensive. They can damage their health through long-term use, and become addicted to the point that they cannot quit on their own. Addiction can occur within a week or so. There is a great danger of overdosing on this drug, especially when it is combined with alcohol or if the person crushes and chews the time-released version.
Symptoms of an overdose are confusion, slow breathing, seizures, dizziness, muscle weakness, loss of consciousness, coma, cold skin, small pupils and dry mouth. The person is in danger of death if he is not treated. About 1000 people die every year in the USA from oxycodone overdoses.
Once you become addicted to oxycodone, you experience severe withdrawal symptoms when you quit. Most people need professional help to get through the withdrawal syndrome and then to overcome their addiction. Withdrawal symptoms are restlessness, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, yawning, sweating, chills, muscle or joint aches or pains, weakness, irritability, anxiety, depression, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, fast heartbeat, and fast breathing. Depending on your level of addiction, these symptoms can last a week. Some physicians gradually lower the dose of oxycodone to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
