Oxycodone
Overview
Oxycodone is used as a semi-synthetic narcotic analgesic and historically has been a popular drug of abuse among the narcotic abusing population. Oxycodone is marketed alone as 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 mg controlled-release tablets, OxyContin®, or 5 mg
immediate-release capsules, OxyIR®. It is also marketed in combination products with aspirin such as Percodan® or acetaminophen such as Percocet®.
Methods of use
Oxycodone is abused orally or intravenously; the tablets are crushed and sniffed or dissolved in water and injected.
Effects on the mind
Euphoria and feelings of relaxation are the most common effects of oxycodone on the brain, which explains its high potential for abuse. In recent years, concern has grown among federal, state, and local officials about the dramatic increase in the illicit availability and use of OxyContin® products. The criminal activity associated with illicitly obtaining and distributing this drug, as well as serious consequences of illicit use, including addiction and fatal overdose deaths, are of epidemic proportion in some areas of the United States.
Effects on the body
Physiological effects of oxycodone include pain relief, sedation, respiratory depression, constipation, papillary constriction, and cough suppression.
Overdose effects
Overdose effects include extreme drowsiness, muscle weakness, confusion, cold and clammy skin, pinpoint pupils, shallow breathing, slow heart rate, fainting, coma, or possible death.
Oxycodone is used as a semi-synthetic narcotic analgesic and historically has been a popular drug of abuse among the narcotic abusing population. Oxycodone is marketed alone as 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 mg controlled-release tablets, OxyContin®, or 5 mg
immediate-release capsules, OxyIR®. It is also marketed in combination products with aspirin such as Percodan® or acetaminophen such as Percocet®.
Methods of use
Oxycodone is abused orally or intravenously; the tablets are crushed and sniffed or dissolved in water and injected.
Effects on the mind
Euphoria and feelings of relaxation are the most common effects of oxycodone on the brain, which explains its high potential for abuse. In recent years, concern has grown among federal, state, and local officials about the dramatic increase in the illicit availability and use of OxyContin® products. The criminal activity associated with illicitly obtaining and distributing this drug, as well as serious consequences of illicit use, including addiction and fatal overdose deaths, are of epidemic proportion in some areas of the United States.
Effects on the body
Physiological effects of oxycodone include pain relief, sedation, respiratory depression, constipation, papillary constriction, and cough suppression.
Overdose effects
Overdose effects include extreme drowsiness, muscle weakness, confusion, cold and clammy skin, pinpoint pupils, shallow breathing, slow heart rate, fainting, coma, or possible death.