The Dangers Of Oxycontin And Other Prescription Drugs

OxyContin is a controlled release formula for oxycodone, a narcotic analgesic, used to treat chronic severe and moderate pain. When used properly, the drug provides pain relief for up to 12 hours; however, OxyContin addiction is very common with reports of unscrupulous doctors dealing the drug for profit, addicted celebrities and a number of overdose deaths. 

 

Prescription Drug Addiction

The number of people suffering from prescription drug addiction is steadily growing as more and more people use them for nonmedical reasons. Due to the bad publicity associated with this drug, many patients suffering from chronic pain are shying away from it for fear of addiction. Access to the drug is more difficult due to strict enforcement laws, fear among healthcare providers and the climate of suspicion surrounding the drug.

Because of the drug's potential for abuse, OxyContin is a Schedule II controlled substance, subjecting it to strict distribution guidelines. As a member of the agonist opioid group of painkillers, which produce better effects the more a patient consumes, it is tailor made for patients with chronic pain. It stimulates opioid receptors in the brain, central nervous system and in the spinal cord, offering relief to chronic pain. 

 

Ways OxyContin Is Abused

Addicts aim to counter the controlled release feature of the drug by snorting, chewing or directly injecting the drug in order to achieve an instant high. As with most other addictive narcotics, with prolonged use, addicts require larger amounts of the drug in order to get high.

 

Oxycontin and Other Prescription Pill Dangers 

OxyContin is just one among many prescription pills that people today are abusing. Other commonly abused drugs include Vicodin, Valium, Ativan and many more. In addition to certain celebrities, addition to prescription drugs is common with students and business people who use them to deal with the pressure and competitiveness in college and in business. Addiction to prescription medication has greatly affected all areas of the society.

 

Dangers Of Prescription Drug Abuse

 

• Addiction is one of the biggest dangers of prescription drugs. When a person becomes addicted, the body develops an uncontrollable craving and needs more and more quantities of the drug in order to function. The lack of access to the drug results in a range of withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, insomnia, depression, sweating, shaking, among others.

• Misuse of prescription medication can lead to various serious health problems.

• Prescription drugs can be a danger to other people. Some of these drugs cause symptoms such as drowsiness and poor judgment, which may interfere with actions such as driving, possibly resulting in accidents.

• Abuse of prescription drugs may lead to future legal trouble.

Strict control of OxyContin and other prescription medication by qualified medical practitioners is essential in order to lower the chances of prescription pain pill dangers.

Generic OxyContin Ban – What Are The Side Effects?

Though banning less expensive, generic Oxycontin may seem like a “win” in the fight against drug addiction, there is much debate as to the side effects yet to be seen.

Critics of the FDA’s decision to ban generic forms of Oxycontin argue that it may ultimately promote the use of less effective substances without eliminating addiction risks. Oxycontin went off patent this past April.

In most cases, the end of a drug patent will usher in an era of generics. Following the FDA’s decision, drug-makers must now work to create abuse-resistant versions of the substance in order to compete in the market.

The number of deaths associated with prescription opiates more than tripled from ’99 to ’06. In 1997, Purdue Pharma LP – the maker of Oxycontin - pleaded guilty to federal charges of misbranding the substance as a less addictive and safer alternative to narcotic drugs such as Percocet and Vicodin. By 2010, Pharma had developed an abuse-resistant version of the drug to help diminish the risk of overdose and death.

The new “abuse-resistant” Oxy includes an ingredient that makes it difficult to crush and inject or snort to achieve the desired effect - one similar to that found in heroin use.

But just because a drug is “abuse-deterrent” doesn't make it harmless…

In fact, nearly one third of users polled say they've figured out how to beat the system. Those who have not, still stand the risk of procuring or maintaining an addiction by swallowing the pills to excess.

Moral of the story: Where there’s a pill, there’s a way. 

Need Help?

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How Does The Body Respond To Oxy?

A semi-synthetic opioid analgesic, Oxycodone is prescribed by physicians to alleviate short- or long-term pain. The drug is available in immediate-release (OxyIR) and controlled-release (OxyContin) forms, or in pills that contain acetaminophen (Percocet) or aspirin (Perodan).

Neurological

Common side effects of Oxycodone on the neurological system include drowsiness, cognitive impairments, moodiness, altered sleep cycles, and in some cases, psychosis.

Gastrointestinal

Oxycodone use may result in a variety of gastrointestinal issues, including vomiting, upset stomach and constipation.

Respiratory

Oxycodone also offers the potential for respiratory issues, including hypoventilation and even respiratory arrest in rare cases. Users should contact a physician immediately if they experience breathing difficulties or lightheadedness following Oxycodone use.

Cardiovascular

Decreased blood pressure and heart rate, heart palpitations, and migraines may result from Oxycodone use. Make certain to discuss any cardiovascular disease issues you may have with a physician before use.

Additional Side Effects

Additional side effects stemming from Oxycodone use include urination difficulties, suppression of immune system, rashes, dry mouth, and sweating.

Abuse and Addiction

Oxycodone and its various derivatives each hold a high potential for abuse and dependency. The withdrawal symptoms associated with an addiction include gastrointestinal disturbances, sleeplessness, anxiety, sweating, agitation, and an irregular heart beat. Seizures have also been known to occur in some patients.

Need Help?

If you or a loved one is struggling with an Oxycodone addiction, our Above It All rehabilitation center is the place to call! Pick up the phone today, and let our team of addiction specialists help you back on track towards the healthy, happy, sober lifestyle you deserve!

The Facts: Oxycontin

OxyContin, also known as Oxycodone, is a commonly prescribed depressant that affects the body’s central nervous system. People who take this substance recreationally will often experience a sense of intense euphoria and relaxation. Those who indulge in repeated use of the drug may ultimately develop a tolerance to it’s effects, alongside a heightened risk of addiction.

Usage

OxyContin is typically prescribed for individuals in an effort to combat moderate to intense  pain caused by a medical condition, such as childbirth, cancer, fractures, dislocation, back pain, neualgia, arthritis and other severe injuries.

Side Effects

Some of the more common side effects associated with OxyContin use include confusion, nausea, drowsiness, vomiting, sedation, headaches, inhibited respiratory system, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation and sweating. These effects will often begin to subside following continued and persistent use.

Warnings

OxyContin is classified as part of the opiate family, and as such, can be highly addictive. If an individual suffers an overdose, immediate medical attention must be obtained to avoid more serious consequences. Symptoms of an OxyContin overdose include seizures, slowed breathing, disorientation, small pupils, and clammy skin.

Dosage

OxyContin pills shold never be crushed, chewed or broken. This can result in an array of issues, including death, due to the rapid release of the drug’s main active ingredient. If an individual must use OxyContin to counter severe pain or discomfort, the tablets should be ingested whole alongside a cup of water. In this way, the drug’s active ingredients can be absorbed into the body over time.

Pregnancy

Women who choose to use OxyContin during pregnancy place their babies at risk for severe withdrawal following birth. Women who continue using while breast feeding will ultimately pass the drug to their child, resulting in addiction.

Need Help?

If you or someone you know is struggling with an OxyContin addiction, our Above It All addiction counselors are available to help! Give us a call today, and let our team help you back on track towards the happy, loving, and healthy life you deserve.

OxyContin Side Effects

OxyContin is an opiate commonly prescribed to relieve moderate to severe pain caused by arthritis, cancer, and invasive surgery. As with most pain medications, OxyContin holds a risk of dependency, and may cause various side effects in its users.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects experienced by OxyContin users typically revolve around the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, and respiratory systems. Frequent user reports cite constipation, vomiting, and nausea. Apnea and depressed breathing are relatively common, in addition to psychiatric effects such as paranoia and euphoria.

Rare Side Effects

Some of the lesser known and experienced effects of OxyContin include postural hypotension, allergic reaction, irregular heartbeat, and seizure.

Side Effect Causes

As with other drugs in the opiate family, OxyContin use holds a risk for increased histamine levels, which can lead to an array of allergy-like symptoms including itching, rash, dizziness and sinus pressure. Because OxyContin binds itself to the GI tract’s opiate receptors, constipation is relatively frequent among users. OxyContin’s ability to stimulate a precise area within the brain triggers the common nausea effect, causing muscle contractions throughout the stomach, and potential vomiting.

Addiction & Withdrawal

Addition and opiates are not strangers to one another. Like other opiates, OxyContin possesses the power to pose psychological addiction and physical dependence with regular use. Choosing to discontinue usage in an abrupt manner following frequent intake can result on an array of withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, diarrhea, intense pain sensitivity, cravings, and insomnia. Withdrawal symptoms will often begin as quickly as 6 hours after the last dosage, in varying amounts on intensity and duration depending on the user’s individual physiology and use history.