Oxycontin Addiction

Signs of OxyContin addiction included but are not limited to:

• Slow breathing (less than ten breaths a minute is really serious trouble)
• Small, pinpoint pupils
• Confusion
• Being tired, nodding off, or passing out
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Apathy (they don’t care about anything)
• Cold and clammy skin
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Seizures

Oxycodone is a potentially addictive opioid analgesic medication synthesized from thebaine. It is an important 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 to a ketone group, hence 'oxycodone', and in the 7,8-dihydro-feature (Codeine has a double-bond between those two carbons).

 

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.

 

Oxycodone is a drug subject to abuse, and is included in the sections for the most strongly controlled substances that have a commonly accepted medical use under the German Betäubungsmittelgesetz (III) (Analgetics Act), the Swiss law of the same title, UK Misuse of Drugs Act (Class A), Canadian controlled substances act, Austrian Suchtmittelgesetz (Addictives Act), Australian, New Zealand, Japanese and South African controlled substance laws, just to name a few. It is also subject to international treaties controlling psychoactive drugs subject to abuse or dependence.

 

Oxycodone has similar effects to morphine and heroin, and appeals to the same abuse community. Armed robberies of pharmacies where the robber demanded only OxyContin, not cash, have occurred. In some areas, particularly the eastern U.S., OxyContin has been the drug of greatest concern to enforcement authorities, although trustworthy data on the actual incidence of "Oxy abuse" have been difficult to establish.

 

OxyContin is the brnd name for an opioid analgesic containing the active ingredient oxycodone. OxyContin is a legal narcotic that is available, by prescription, to treat severe pain. It is classified as a Schedule II drug, meaning it has a high potential for drug addiction and is only available by prescription from a licensed physician. 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. There are many physical and emotional signs of OxyContin addiction.

 

OxyContin addiction will leave the user suffering physically painful symptoms if their bodies do not get more OxyContin. Signs of OxyContin addiction can include insomnia, muscle and bone pain, sweats, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach cramping, muscle twitching, as well as other physical effects. The increase in OxyContin addictions has resulted in criminal acts to steal OxyContin. Now, OxyContin labeling changes are being made in hopes of reducing the risk of over prescribing OxyContin and as a result, reducing OxyContin addiction.

 

When patients are in extreme pain and take OxyContin as directed, or to the point where their pain is adequately controlled, it is not abuse or addiction. Abuse occurs when patients take more than is needed for pain control, especially if they take it to get high. Patients who take their medication in a manner that grossly differs from a physician’s directions are probably abusing that drug.

 

If a patient continues to seek excessive pain medication after pain management is achieved, the patient may be addicted. OxyContin addiction is characterized by the repeated, compulsive use of a substance despite adverse social, psychological, and/or physical consequences.

 

OxyContin drug is crushed and then ingested, snorted, or diluted in water and injected. Crushing or diluting the tablet disarms the timed-release action of OxyContin to cause a quick and powerful heroin-like high. Some areas in the country have replaced the use of heroin with the drug OxyContin.

 

OxyContin’s manufacturer, Purdue Pharma, has taken steps to reduce the potential for abuse of the medication. An alternative to OxyContin without the addictive traits is being studied, but if another medicine is created it will not be available for a significant amount of time. Until then, Purdue Pharma has been trying to develop ways of preventing more instances of abuse and addiction to OxyContin.

A lot of these signs of OxyContin addiction can make people think their friend is drunk. And they may be tempted to let them sleep it off, or tell their parents they had too much to drink. But don’t. The friend could go to sleep and never wake up.

 

 

Oxycodone is becoming an increasingly publicized and known drug to the general public. The discovery of its recreational benefits has led to an illicit underground market. Due to acts such as pharmacy diversion and "doctor shopping", the drug is widely available to those without a prescription. The increased misuse of the drug has led to a higher number of emergency department mentions and deaths associated with oxycodone. Between 1994 and 2001, there was a reported 352% increase in ER visits related to all forms of oxycodone usage.

 

In Australia OxyContin is covered by the PBS, and a patient can potentially get up to sixty tablets for as little as $4.90AUD in total. The NSW Rural Doctors Network notes "Some patients who are legitimately prescribed strong opioids, by a pain clinic or for a terminal condition, will sell part, or all, of their prescription on the illicit drug market to augment their income" and "‘Doctor–shopping’ data for 1999/2000 for Australia show that a total volume of 262 923 codeine compound analgesics and narcotic prescriptions were written for 8780 known abusers. These patients saw more than 15 separate doctors in 1 year. The cost of these prescription drugs for 3000 patients, in NSW alone, was $759 954. The problem is, however, much more widespread than these figures indicate. Many more patients avoid detection by requesting private prescriptions, and are not reflected in official government statistics. There are a large number of these white-collar drug users, adding incalculably to a huge problem". This has led to Federal tightening of restrictions from May 2006 (see Regulation below).

 

Illegal distribution of OxyContin occurs through pharmacy diversion, physicians, "doctor shopping," faked prescriptions, and robbery--all of which divert the pharmaceutical onto the illicit market. The increase of this situation coincides with the increase in the illegal use of this drug. The oxycodone contained in OxyContin produces typical opioid effects, and is considered a "reasonable substitute" for heroin, so much so that OxyContin is often referred to as "hillbilly heroin". The most commonly diverted dosages are the 40mg and 80mg strengths.

 

Detox is recommended for those addicted to Oxy, then inpatient addiction treatment.

 

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