Long Term Side Effects of Oxycodone

Oxycodone is the generic name for a powerful narcotic that works as an analgesic or ‘pain reliever’, particularly if you suffer from chronic pain. It is also commonly referred to by its brand name “Oxycotin.” Long term side effects of Oxycodone use can have grave consequences once a person’s dependence on the drug begins. These effects include: Addiction, Effects on testosterone levels in men, and vital organ damage.

Addiction

According to Merriam Webster (m-w.com, 2014) an addiction is: a strong and harmful need to regularly have something (such as a drug) or do something (such as gamble). The danger posed from the long term side effects of Oxycodone; it is almost impossible to wean yourself off of the drug once you become physically addicted. Current statistics show that less than five percent of Oxycodone addicts will ever successfully find sobriety, and even more frightening, that they will turn to less expensive alternatives such as heroin.

Long Term Side Effects of Oxycodone on Testosterone Levels in Men

Recent studies indicate the negative long term side-effects of Oxycodone on testosterone levels in men are alarming. In a recent study ninety percent of cancer survivors receiving the drug for chronic pain had low or no testosterone secretion as opposed to only forty percent of the control group. According to the article in the International Journal of Clinical Practice, “Long-acting opioids such as… oxycodone for the treatment of chronic pain often result in opioid-induced androgen deficiency (OPIAD).” (A Practical Guide to Male Hypogonadism in the Primary Care Setting, May 2010) The concern reaches epic proportions when you consider the number of young men taking the narcotic for chronic pain. There is treatment, but it includes long term testosterone therapy.

Vital Organ Damage

Oxycodone can cause organ damage, addiction and other side effects on the long term.

Oxycodone is processed through the liver and kidneys, creating a burden on both, particularly with extended high dosage use. Liver damage can occur when the enzymes you need to process the medication are in a sense ‘stolen’ from other filtering duties. Long term side effects can include obstruction of bile from your liver and in extreme cases hepatitis.

The kidneys begin eliminating the medication after it passes through the liver and can place a burden on your kidneys in much the same way. No current studies showing conclusive damage was readily available, however another side effect of the medication can be dehydration, which puts additional undue stress on kidneys already straining under the effect of eliminating the medication.

Conclusion

The medical community is finding that chronic pain treatment is not without its risks. Finding a balance of relief without allowing the long term side effects of Oxycodone to disrupt quality of life is at best in an infancy of discovery. Patient education can only provide a glimpse of the totality of Oxycodone’s effect on the patient’s mental and physical health, their family, and their sphere of influence. It is imperative that mitigation, particularly as regards the addictive properties of the medication be resolved.