Dangerous Side Effects of Oxycodone

Oxycodone is an opioid pain reliever available in preparations of immediate release tablets from 5mg to 30mg, extended release tablets from 10mg to 80mg, and combined with other analgesics to enhance pain relief while minimizing the opioid content per dose. Oxycodone medications are prescribed to be taken orally and while some are intended to be used to treat short–term pain conditions such as those that occur with injuries or surgeries, others are long-acting with delayed absorption and higher potency for treatment of chronic, “around the clock”, and hard to teat pain.

Unfortunately, oxycodone products are some of the most widely and inappropriately prescribed products that are preferred in the opioid abuser populations for their heroin-like effects. There are many dangerous side effects of oxycodone, but, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “because opioid analgesics are centrally involved in prescription drug abuse and overdose, the situation is further complicated because of the often unmet need for adequate pain treatment.” Medical providers walk a fine line in determining appropriate pain management and prescribing the right doses for the sufficient needs of their patients.

Those who use oxycodone products therapeutically as well as those who abuse it recreationally are at risk of dangerous side effects of oxycodone including the following:

Accelerated Use and Abuse

While abuse of opioid drugs has always been problematic, oxycodone’s powerful opioid effects gained increased notoriety when Purdue Pharma LP released the Oxycontin pills which came in dosages up to 160mg extended release tablets intended to deter abuse, but, ultimately having a large influence on the epidemic rise in opioid addictions, overdoses, and relative crimes associated with the drug. The manufacturer has since, voluntarily removed the 160 mg tablets from market and reformulated the product with enhanced abuse deterrent mechanisms.

People who use oxycodone for a few days will notice the diminished effects of pain relief or euphoria which occurs when tolerance to the drug develops. As a result, they are likely to use more of the drug to experience the desired effects, to use it with other substances to enhance the effects, or to use it via alternative delivery methods for a more rapid and intense “high”. Oxycodone abusers often snort, smoke, or inject the drugs to deliver a rapid dose to the brain because their tolerance levels develop quickly.

Respiratory Depression

The abuse of Oxycontin can lead to respiratory depression.

One of the most dangerous side effects of oxycodone is respiratory depression which has been linked to a number of serious respiratory ailments, respiratory failures, and other organ and system failures that may be fatal. Low oxygen levels and higher carbon monoxide levels in the bloodstream may contribute to the higher rates of pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, as well as long term brain damages among opioid abusers. Users who suffer respiratory depression problems while asleep or after losing consciousness such as in overdoses have been reported as experiencing what’s known as the “death rattle” just before they died.

Addiction

Addiction to oxycodone is a dangerous side effect that makes it difficult for the user to stop using the oxycodone despite the consequential risks and harms that occur. Uncontrollable cravings, compulsive use, and withdrawals keep the addiction cycle going and the greater the dependency becomes the more likely the person will relapse after any attempts to detox. According to the Scripps Research Institute, “From initial, positively reinforcing, pleasurable drug effects, the addictive process progresses over time to being maintained by negatively reinforcing relief from a negative emotional state.”

Overdose

Like heroin, an oxycodone overdose can cause immediate death or vital organ damages leading to earlier mortality. According to the NIDA “People often assume prescription pain relievers are safer than illicit drugs because they are medically prescribed; however, when these drugs are taken for reasons or in ways or amounts not intended by a doctor, or taken by someone other than the person for whom they are prescribed, they can result in severe adverse health effects including addiction, overdose, and death, especially when combined with other drugs or alcohol.”

Diseases and Infections

Oxycodone abusers often engage in dangerous activities and behaviors throughout the course of their abuse. Intravenous injectors risk acquiring communicable diseases such as HIV, AIDs, tuberculosis, or hepatitis C through sharing of needles. They also elevate their risks of other health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes and suffer from bacterial infections at the injection site which can spread in their bodily tissues and through the blood to vital organs.

Engaging in unsafe sex or prostitution spreads STD’s and increases the HIV and AIDs risk. Unfortunately, the lure of the drug and the fear of withdrawals supersede moral judgment and reasoning once a dependency is developed.

Other Dangerous Side Effects of Oxycodone

Serious health risks are likely to occur from abusing oxycodone, but, some dangerous side effects exist even when the medication is used as intended. Those with compromised physical health, using other legitimate medications, elderly, and pregnant women are at an increased risk. Other dangerous side effects of oxycodone to watch for include:

• Irregular heartbeat
• Rashes or hives
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hoarseness
• Edema or swelling of the face, eyes, lips, throat, tongue, hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Loss of coordination
• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Fainting
• Loss of consciousness, over-sedation, or “nodding off”
• Drastic mood swings
• Depression, anxiety, aggression, suicidal or harmful tendencies
• Unusual behaviors