Oxycodone Addiction

Oxycodone

Oxycodone belongs to a group of strong, addictive narcotic analgesics—or, narcotic painkillers.

• Synthesized as a narcotic painkiller (or, analgesic) to treat moderate to severe pain.
• A semi-synthetic opioid made from thebaine, first developed in 1916 in Germany.
• Its chemical name is derived from Codeine.
• Has no ‘ceiling effect’—or, point of diminishing returns in which increased doses produce lesser effect.
• A pure opioid (similar to morphine) that binds to nerve receptors and alters their function, increasing the potential for abuse.
• Maximum dose is undefined and limited only by the adversity of side effects experienced (like all pure opioid agonist pain-relievers).
• Similar in its medical application to morphine (along with other substances such as hydromorphone, fentanyl, codeine, and hydrocodone).
• Used to sedate the patient before surgery.
• Most severe effects include drowsiness (with stupor) and respiratory depression (possibly, with collapse).
• Impacts the brain stem’s control of respiratory functions.
• Doses above 80 mg may cause fatal respiratory failure if given to patients who are not used to opioids.
• Overuse and overdose can be addictive and fatal.
• Contraindicated for patients with respiratory diseases.
• Reactions include anxiety, constipation, euphoria, dilated pupils, and depressed breathing.
• 80 mg or 160 mg tablets indicated for use only in opioid-tolerant patients.
• Controlled-release oral tablets are not to be consumed broken, crushed or chewed, which increases narcotic effect.
• Tablets should be swallowed whole.
• Tablets not consumed whole promote more rapid drug absorption, which may result in fatal overdose.
• Oxycodone hydrochloride is not intended for use as a PRN, or ‘as needed’.  
• Typical adult pain dosage of 5 to 15 mg, every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
• Not recommended for mild pain of short duration.
• Trade name OxyContin ® refers to Oxycodone continuous release formulation.
• Regulated in the U.S. (under the CSA) as a Schedule II controlled substance (for both single and combined formulations).
• A substance subject to abuse.
• Not recommended for postoperative pain (first 12-24 hours after surgery).
• Originally misbranded as having low abuse, withdrawal, and dependency.
• Contraindicated for patients with asthmatic, bronchial, or other serious respiratory disorders.
• May be transmitted to newborns during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Causes dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, or fainting and affects motor skills.
• Exacerbates the effect of sleeping aids, tranquilizers, and muscle relaxants.
• Increases risk of serious side effects, dizziness, somnolence, unconsciousness and respiratory arrest, when used with other narcotics.
• Increases the effects of alcohol and other pain relief medication.
• Very habit forming and must be taken only under physician's orders, according to instructions.
• Potential to cause moderate to high physical or psychological dependence, when used often.
• Increased doses or length of time used can lead to dependency.
• Of the 6.4 million Americans misusing prescription drugs, more than 73% misused prescription pain relievers (2006, National Household Survey).
  

Learn more about the Waismann Method of Rapid Detoxification from Oxycodone.