Oxycodone is a prescribed medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. It works as a synthetic opium-like pain reliever by binding to receptors in the brain and central nervous system. The action reduces the perception of pain and a person's emotional response to pain, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). It can be used as short-acting medication for acute pain, such as post-surgical pain, or as a longer-acting drug for people with chronic pain.
Features
It comes in liquid, tablet and capsule form. It is usually taken every four to six hours, but about every 12 hours with the extended-release tablets. Dosage depends on how much is needed to control a person's pain. Medication may start out with lower doses and then be slowly increased over time.
Considerations
Oxycodone is a controlled substance that can become habit forming. Overdoses of oxycodone may result in respiratory problems, reduction in blood pressure and heart rate, coma or death.
Warning
Some products combine oxycodone with aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen. People taking prescribed oxycodone need to consult with a doctor about its contents, the ACS warns. If also taking non-prescription medicine for fever, colds or flu that contain the same contents, it can result in overdose and serious harm or even death.
Side Effects
Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, drowsiness or mood changes, according to the National Institutes of Health. Flushing, sweating, itching, weakness, headache, dry mouth and constipation are other possible side effects. There are serious side effects that need immediate medical attention. They include difficulty breathing, fast or slow heartbeat or swelling of the face, mouth, extremities and other areas of the body. Other severe symptoms may include rash, hives, difficulty swallowing, hallucinating, seizures, confusion, fainting or loss of consciousness.
Illegal Use
Oxycodone has been used for illicit purposes because of its powerful narcotic effect that can bring on feelings of euphoria and relaxation, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Its effects have been compared to the effects of morphine and therefore have the potential to be abused, causing tolerance and dependency.
The illegal use of oxycodone has been an increasing problem since the 1960s, but began escalating in the 1990s with street names such as "OC," "ox," "oxy," "oxycotton," "hillbilly heroin" and "kicker." Street users of the drug sometimes use it to alleviate withdrawal symptoms from heroin and methadone. But its addictive properties have helped make it a sought-after illicit drug by people of all ages, crossing all ethnic and economic groups, according to the DEA.
