What is Oxycodone?
Oxycodone is a pain relieving medicine treating moderate to severe pain. Oxycodone is an Opioid medicine. There are two kinds of Oxycodone medicines available in the market. Apart from the normal version, there is an extended-release tablet (OxyContin) that works for longer hours, however this is not prescribed for need- based medication. Oxycodone must be avoided by patients with asthma or other breathing problems. Alcohol should not be consumed with the drug. Oxycodone pills must not be crushed and inhaled, or mixed with liquids and consumed intravenously.
Oxycodone was developed to substitute for addictive painkillers used before World War I. However, Oxycodone also has potential for abuse, and is highly addictive. Oxycodone is used both as prescribed painkiller by users, and as a euphoria inducing drug by abusers. Oxycodone is often paired with other painkillers like Acetaminophen (Percocet).
Oxycodone is a Schedule II drug. Narcotic drugs are divided into five schedules depending on their regulation by the Government and Drug Enforcement Administration. Schedule II Narcotic drugs have a high potential for abuse, but lesser than Schedule I drugs. The user can get dependent on the drug without excessive usage. Schedule II are currently used for medical and medicinal use and are available with the help of prescriptions.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Oxycodone include drowsiness, headache, dizziness, tiredness, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, dry mouth and mild itching. However with symptoms like agitation, hallucination, excessive vomiting, coordination problems, it is best to consult a doctor.
When Oxycodone is crushed and snorted, the side effects are much more dangerous and severe. This is more so in case of the extended- release tablet (OxyContin) because the protective layer is removed when crushed. The side effects range from a sudden drop in blood pressure, slow or erratic breathing patterns, seizures, nausea to a cardiac arrest leading to death.
Signs and Symptoms of Oxycodone Addiction
Oxycodone is a highly addictive drug, and with constant use the user builds tolerance towards it. The user feels the need to take more quantity of the drug. Some signs of addiction are doctor shopping for Oxycodone (where the user goes to different doctors for multiple prescriptions of the drug), the user builds up tolerance and needs more quantity of the drug to feel the same effect, the drug is used as a replacement for heroin or morphine, withdrawal symptoms and psychological anxiety when not on drug and intense erratic mood swings. Some of the physically seen side effects are irregular heartbeat, depression, muscle tremors, vomiting, rashes and restlessness accompanied with fatigue.
Oxycodone Overdose
Oxycodone is overdosed because the user builds up tolerance towards the drug. The user then needs to take more quantity of the drug to achieve the same high or euphoria. Overdosing can lead to harm in the user. A user overdosed on Oxycodone can experience extreme sleepiness, unconsciousness, uncontrolled vomiting, shallow breathing and sometimes in extreme cases, even death.
Oxycodone Withdrawal
Withdrawal from Oxycodone can be a painful process. Since the withdrawal process can be severe, it is advised to get medical supervision while undergoing detoxing. Some of the withdrawal symptoms are rashes, dizziness, headaches, constipation, sweating and dry mouth. Some of the severe withdrawal symptoms are seizures, nausea and lightheadedness. Sometimes, due to the severely painful withdrawal conditions, the user goes back to taking the drug. This kind of addiction can lead to the user being depressed and suicidal.
The duration of the withdrawal symptoms depends up on how long the user was taking the drugs and how much of the drug the user consumed.
Oxycodone Withdrawal Treatment
The user is advised to get medical supervision while undergoing withdrawal treatment. Treatment for Oxycodone drug abuse happens in two ways: inpatient and outpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment requires the patient to stay at the rehab facility for the length of the treatment. This warrants intensive treatment for the problem. Outpatient treatment requires the patient to check in with the doctors every day of the week, except for weekends and holidays. In the inpatient treatment chances of relapsing are very low due to lack of access to drugs within the facility. Further the distractions of day-to- day life are lesser in the facility. 24/7 care is provided in the inpatient treatment, which could help long term users. Oxycodone abusers are advised to undergo an inpatient treatment.
The first stage of Oxycodone withdrawal treatment is detoxing. The user needs to cleanse the body off the drug and toxins. Detox is a controlled withdrawal, and is supervised or monitored. This is the physical aspect of stopping the drug use. The next stage, rehabilitation works on the psychological side of the addiction.