Uses

Oxycodone is an opiate analgesic that is synthesized from thebaine which comes from the poppy plant. Because this drug is an opiate, it has a high potential for abuse and use of the drug may be habit forming. Oxycodone is primarily used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain such as the pain that may be associated with surgery, injury or chronic illness. On the street, Oxycodone is used to produce a euphoric high that induces a relaxed state.

Oral medications are available in a variety of doses and strengths and are either single ingredient or compounded with other ingredients such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Various formulations of Oxycodone are available including Oxycontin, a time release form of the drug, and Roxicodone which is another common formulation that is widely abused on the streets.

Medical Oxycodone Uses

In the medical field, Oxycodone is prescribed to patients to treat pain that is moderate to severe in scope. The drug is not widely prescribed for other purposes unless as a last resort for the treatment of severe diarrhea such as can be associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Most of the time, patients who are prescribed Oxycodone for pain relief report an improved quality of life upon taking the drug but like any treatment, there are risks involved.

Oxycodone may be habit-forming and repeated use of the drug can lead to an increase in tolerance and subsequent physical and psychological dependence may occur. Because of the risk that Oxycodone has for causing physical dependence, many doctors attempt to treat pain with other, less habit-forming drugs first before resorting to Oxycodone treatment as a final resort.

Recent advances in medical care also recommend Oxycodone for the treatment of chronic pain associated with cancer. Previously, morphine was the drug of choice for such treatment but Oxycodone has been found to cause less nausea and sedation than morphine making it a suitable medication that is often better tolerated by patients who are in the final stages of palliative care for cancer.

Risks

Many risks and adverse effects may occur when Oxycodone is taken either for the treatment of pain or for recreational use. Patients who take Oxycodone have reported nightmares and memory loss, fatigue, anxiety, nausea and various other side effects when taking Oxycodone. Most of these side effects will dissipate after the first few dose of Oxycodone but in rare cases the user’s symptoms may persist and could even pose serious health risks.

Excessive use of Oxycodone or taking dangerously high doses of this drug can lead to overdose. Oxycodone overdose can result in shallow or labored breathing, slowed heart rate or abnormal heart rhythm, respiratory failure or arrest and death. If you suspect that someone has overdosed on Oxycodone, call 911 immediately for medical attention or contact your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.