Oxycontin Addiction
OxyContin was first introduced in 1995. It is a
Schedule 11 controlled drug used in the treatment of
severe pain disorders. OxyContin is a long acting
formulation of oxycodone, the medication's active
ingredient.
The drug is a powerful pain killer and widely used in
clinical medicine. However, because of its mood
altering effects, Oxycontin can be abused. Over the
past decade, OxyContin has become a popular drug and
the mood altering effects it produces has led to a
significant increase in abuse of the drug and chemical
dependency and addiction.
Respiratory depression is a major severe complication
of oxycontin. Respiratory depression is a cause of
concern in elderly or debilitated patients, and
usually follows after the use of large initial doses
in non tolerant patients, or when other opioids are
given concurrently. In the community, the majority of
OxyContin-related deaths have occurred in individuals
who were ingesting large quantities of oxycontin in
combination with either alcohol or benzodiazepines.
OxyContin may cause severe hypertension.
The drug is easily abused by simply crushing the
tablets and either ingestion, injection, inhalation or
placed rectally. The drug can have serious side
effects when injected as it has a prolonged extended
action.
To suddenly stop taking oxycontin can result in
serious withdrawal symptoms. The withdrawal syndrome
may be characterized by restlessness, dizziness,
headaches, anxiety, yawning, perspiration, queasiness,
sweating, and chills. Other symptoms also may develop,
include irritability, vague pain, weakness, abdominal
cramps, insomnia, nausea, anorexia, vomiting,
diarrhea, or increased blood pressure, respiratory
rate, or heart rate.
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