Oxycodone and its different preparations

22nd December 2006 at 15:08 GMT by Dr C.A.Jenner MB BS, FRCA. Permalink.

Article on the uses, mechanisms and adverse effects of Oxycodone and its different preparations

Introduction to Oxycodone and is different preparations

Oxycodone is a narcotic analgesic painkiller used as an ingredient in a number of prescription pain relief medications.

It is the principal ingredient found in Oxycontin, Percocet and Percodan. A legal narcotic drug, it is available by prescription for relief from severe pain.

Oxycodone is widely recognized as the most powerful medication for pain control that can be taken orally. It works by stimulating the opioid receptors found in the central nervous system that activate responses ranging from analgesia to respiratory depression and euphoria.

Brand Names of Oxycodone

Oxycodone is marketed under various brand names and street names that include:

• Roxicodone
• Endocodone
• Oxy
• OC
• Oxycottons
• Oxy 80s
• OxyContin
• Oxydose
• OxyFast (liquid)
• OxylR
• Percolone

Oxycodone combinations

Oxycodone is also used in other combination pain medications with acetaminophen, paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen.

Conditions for use

Before you begin on a prescription of oxycodone, or any of its preparations, your health care provider should know if any of the below is relevant to your condition:

• abnormal bladder function
• diarrhea
• heart disease
• intestinal disease
• kidney/liver disease
• lung disease
• seizures
• allergic reactions to oxycodone, codeine, morphine, dyes or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to conceive
• breast-feeding

Drug misuse and Oxycodone

Oxycodone has similar effects on the brain as morphine and heroin and hence appeals to the same abuse group. When the drug is abused, it is crushed and snorted, chewed or mixed with water and injected, providing a quick relief to the brain.

These methods are primarily used to defeat the time-release mechanism in OxyContin tablets, causing the active ingredient to take full effect on the brain, almost immediately.

Besides, opiate addicts use it to control withdrawal symptoms when heroin or morphine is unavailable.

Adverse Effects of Oxycodone

The side effects of oxycodone fall into two categories .i.e. Common and Serious. Here we briefly list each of them.

Common

These symptoms require medical help only if they are severe or persist for long. The main ones include

• Upset stomach
• Constipation
• Dry mouth

Serious

In case you suffer from any of these, you need to call your healthcare provider immediately

• Rapid or slow heartbeat
• Trouble in breathing
• Hives
• Skin rash
• Hallucinations
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Dizziness

Warnings for use

Since oxycodone can suppress breathing, it is used with strong caution in the elderly, debilitated patients and in patients with serious lung disease.

Oxycodone can also impair thinking ad physical abilities required for driving operative machinery.

In addition, oxycodone might interact adversely with drugs prescribed for high blood pressure, seizures, muscle relaxants and others.

This drug is also known to be habit forming. Mental and physical dependence can occur, though quite unlikely when used for short-term pain relief.