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What is Oxycodone?

Ken Black
Ken Black

Oxycodone is an opiate with some synthetic properties that is used in the treatment of pain. As one of a group of drugs in the narcotic pain reliever category, oxycodone is used to treat mild to severe pain, much the same way morphine is. Its use is highly regulated because of its addictive properties, and should only be used by those under the direct care of a doctor. This medication is often sold under the brand name OxyContin™.

The most common use is for after-surgery treatment when the use of other drugs is ineffective. Generally, however, the drug is only given to those who were also using it before the surgery to control pain. Oxycodone provides nearly 24-hour relief before another dose is needed and therefore becomes a convenient option for those patients needing pain relief. It is available as prescription medication at a pharmacy and thus can be taken home for use in treating pain there.

Oxycodone pills are used for pain treatment.
Oxycodone pills are used for pain treatment.

Given how powerful the drug is, it is considered one of the best pain relievers on the market. Often, in pill form, it may be mixed with other pain relievers as well, such as acetaminophen or aspirin. Together, the drugs do a very good job of relieving patients of their pain.

Oxycodone is not without its problems, however. It has a great potential for abuse because of its effectiveness, but also because it can elevate levels of dopamine in the body, which is linked to pleasure. In these ways, it is like heroin. In fact, those who are addicted to heroin may turn to oxycodone and other alternative opiates when heroin is not available.

The drug OxyContin contains high amounts of oxycodone that can be very habit forming.
The drug OxyContin contains high amounts of oxycodone that can be very habit forming.

There are a number of ways that this drug can be used besides its originally-intended purpose. The pill can be crushed into a power and then snorted. It can be chewed up and swallowed. Also, it can be crushed into a powder, mixed with water, and injected. This allows users to bypass the mechanism that controls the release of the drug into the body over time, providing a large jolt all at once. Using the drug in any of these ways is against the law in many jurisdictions throughout the world, including the United States.

All opioids, including prescription oxycodone, come with a high risk of abuse and dependence.
All opioids, including prescription oxycodone, come with a high risk of abuse and dependence.

Those who feel that they may be addicted or dependent on the drug should consult their physician as soon as possible. Addiction can become a serious problem. Once the addiction is fed, it becomes harder to break and those addicted become more susceptible to overdose, which can lead to a number of health problems, including fatal cardiac arrest.

Discussion Comments

anon152066

i was in a four-wheeler accident about four years ago and I'm still having a ton of pain in my back from it due to muscles that tore and never grew back together right. would you recommend this for my back pain. if so, how do i get it?

ValleyFiah

I lived in an area with lots of drug addicts and drug crimes. Most pharmacies advertised that they only stocked the generic drugs and that customers had to place a special order to buy oxycodone (probably due to all the robberies). Police were also cracking down on dealers, busting about one a week. Arrests were in the news more often, but this was better than reading about the next kid to overdose. I hope that researchers can find a substitute to oxycodone that is just as effective, but not as addicting.

istria

Generic Oxycontin now uses a time-release coagulant to prevent the drug from being as effective when the addict snorts or injects the drug. The drug companies should have done this sooner. The drug is intended to be time-release drug anyway. It is so strong that it can be dangerous if the drug reaches high levels in your system.

I used to live in a rural area of the northeast and Oxycontin addiction was a big problem. I worked with at risk high school students and about 30% of them had moderate to severe pharmaceutical opiate addiction. The kids actually preferred the pills to heroin because they could guarantee the strength.

anon80270

Love this stuff!

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    • Oxycodone pills are used for pain treatment.
      By: ACphoto
      Oxycodone pills are used for pain treatment.
    • The drug OxyContin contains high amounts of oxycodone that can be very habit forming.
      By: lightwavemedia
      The drug OxyContin contains high amounts of oxycodone that can be very habit forming.
    • All opioids, including prescription oxycodone, come with a high risk of abuse and dependence.
      By: kmiragaya
      All opioids, including prescription oxycodone, come with a high risk of abuse and dependence.
    • Physicians have become more reticent to prescribe oxycodone because of the growing numbers of people who are addicted to this opioid analgesic.
      By: JJAVA
      Physicians have become more reticent to prescribe oxycodone because of the growing numbers of people who are addicted to this opioid analgesic.
    • Like heroin, oxycodone can become extremely addictive.
      By: palangsi
      Like heroin, oxycodone can become extremely addictive.