Since then, it has been popular among prescribing physicians and those suffering from substance use disorder. OxyContin is the long-acting version of a prescription opioid pain medicine called oxycodone. More than 12 million prescriptions for oxycodone were filled in 2020 alone.
Oxycodone Addiction
Oxycodone is made by modifying thebaine, an organic chemical found in opium. Designated as an opioid or semi-synthetic opiate, oxycodone shares a general classification with heroin, hydrocodone, and oxymorphone. Oxycodone is classified as a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act. This means that, although it has a definite medical purpose, there is a high potential for abuse. People prescribed an oxycodone-based painkiller may be suffering from cancer, arthritis, or other physical disorders, or they may receive a short-term prescription after surgery or trauma.
Long-Term Dangers of OxyContin Addiction and Misuse
Diagnosis begins with a thorough patient interview to evaluate their history of OxyContin use, frequency, and dose. Healthcare providers also conduct physical exams to identify signs of addiction, such as withdrawal symptoms, tolerance buildup, and signs of respiratory or gastrointestinal complications. Due to its release characteristics, OxyContin is often prescribed for patients suffering from chronic pain. This also makes it a target for substance abuse, as tampering with the tablets or pills can speed up the release process, delivering a high dose of oxycodone all at once. Painkillers – such as oxycodone, Percocet, and morphine – interact with the brain’s reward system in ways that can lead to dependency. While highly effective in treating and relieving pain, these medications can also have side effects like relaxing the body, reducing anxiety or stress, and creating feelings of euphoria.
Complex patients with comorbid pain and substance use disorders may benefit from referral to a specialist. Access to alternative pain management is essential in preventing and addressing oxycodone addiction. Offering individuals a range of non-opioid treatment options, such as physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and non-opioid medications like NSAIDs or topical analgesics, can significantly decrease the risk of dependence on oxycodone.
CLINICAL STUDIES
Misusing OxyContin in these ways bypasses the drug’s safety mechanisms and amplifies its dangerous effects on the central nervous system. MAT integrates FDA-approved medications like Buprenorphine, Methadone, and Naltrexone with counseling to treat both the physical and psychological aspects of OxyContin addiction. These medications alleviate cravings and withdrawal symptoms while blocking the euphoric effects of opioids. OxyContin addiction is diagnosed by assessing a patient’s behavior, physical symptoms, and medical history to determine patterns of misuse. The dangers of OxyContin addiction are overdose, respiratory depression, and severe physical, psychological, and social consequences. Prolonged misuse of OxyContin impacts nearly every aspect of an individual’s life, leading to life-threatening complications and long-term harm.
Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with the use of OXYCONTIN. Monitor Drug rehabilitation for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of OXYCONTIN or following a dose increase. Instruct patients to swallow OXYCONTIN tablets whole; crushing, chewing, or dissolving OXYCONTIN tablets can cause rapid release and absorption of a potentially fatal dose of oxycodone see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS. Get emergency help or call 911 right away if you take too much OxyContin (overdose). When you first start taking this medicine, when your dose is changed, or if you take too much (overdose), serious or life-threatening breathing problems that can lead to death may occur.
What to Know About Oxycodone Addiction
- When this happens, users feel they need larger amounts of the drug for the same effect, and that’s often when it becomes a lethal situation.
- A very different characterization of the increase in pharmaceutical opioid use is found in popular media reports.
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if https://funfreak.in/10-tips-strategies-for-preventing-teenage/ you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines.
Treatment of Pain in Addicts
Preclinical research reports differences in potency, where oxycodone was 2 to 4 times more potent than morphine after subcutaneous and intraperitoneal injection in rats (Pöyhiä and Kalso 1992). The unique analgesic effectiveness of oxycodone compared to other opioid medications could be an important component underlying the abuse potential of oxycodone. The enhanced analgesic efficacy of systemic administration of oxycodone, over other opioids, was reported in many clinical studies.
However, it’s not uncommon to develop an emotional addiction to oxycodone. It’s possible to only have a physical addiction, or dependence, how addictive is oxycontin which can go away once you detox off oxycodone. In 2017, at least 17% of U.S. adults filled at least one prescription for opioids. This is the most recent data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Good clinical practice dictates a patient-specific plan to taper the dose of the opioid gradually.
- This treatment uses medications like Clonidine or Methadone to reduce withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, anxiety, and muscle pain.
- Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia (OIH) occurs when an opioid analgesic paradoxically causes an increase in pain, or an increase in sensitivity to pain.
- Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression has been reported with the use of opioids, even when used as recommended.
Use of opioids for an extended period of time may influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, leading to androgen deficiency that may manifest as low libido, impotence, erectile dysfunction, amenorrhea, or infertility. Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome presents as irritability, hyperactivity and abnormal sleep pattern, high pitched cry, tremor, vomiting, diarrhea, and failure to gain weight. The onset, duration, and severity of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome vary based on the specific opioid used, duration of use, timing and amount of last maternal use, and rate of elimination of the drug by the newborn. Observe newborns for symptoms of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and manage accordingly see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS. Carcinogenic potential of oxycodone was evaluated in a 2-year oral gavage study in Sprague-Dawley rats. Oxycodone did not increase the incidence of tumors in male and female rats at doses up to 6 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.1 times and 0.5 times for males and females, respectively, a human oxycodone dose of 60 mg/day based on AUC comparison).
- Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended.
- Read on to learn the signs and symptoms of oxycodone addiction and how to get help for a loved one or yourself.
- This diversion has not only prompted burglaries in pharmacies but it has also put a high cost of abuse on its abusers.
- Oxycodone depresses a person’s respiration and decreases their blood pressure.
Substances like caffeine, alcohol, antihistamines, and antidepressants are all subject to a tolerance buildup. When this happens, it means that a static dose of a drug becomes less and less effective with time as your body gets used to the amount of the drug in your system. Oxycodone dosages for children and people with opioid tolerance are highly individual. Your doctor is the only one who can safely determine necessary doses in these cases.
Oxycodone side effects
Purdue Pharma provided support to the Treatment Research Institute for continued data collection in the last 3 months of the project ( January–March 2004). These questions were also asked about hydrocodone, oxycodone, and hydromorphone. Ophelia-affiliated physician group practices are independently owned and operated by licensed physicians who provide services utilizing the Ophelia telehealth platform. The Recovery Village Palmer Lake specializes in compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your needs. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Oxycodone abuse can be hard to recognize if you don’t know what to look for.