Oxycontin is a brand name of opioid analgesic, containing the active substance of oxycodone, and included in the composition of Percocet and Percodan. Oxycontin is a legal drug, prescribed by the doctors in the case of severe pains. Oxycontin belongs to the list of substances, whose sales is controlled by the state. Used for medical purposes, it has a strong painkilling effect and is prescribed for the relief of pain, cause in the case of oncological diseases, arthritis and back pains.
Oxycontin is very addictive, so the patient soon needs higher and higher doses because of the drug tolerance.
Usually, Oxycontin is issued in the form of the round pills, containing 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 mg of active substance. Oxycontin is also issued in the form of capsules or liquid.
Short-term effects
The most serious risk, related to the use of Oxycontin is a depressed respiration. That’s why it is contraindicated to mix Oxycontin with other substances, depressing the respiratory functions, such as: alcohol, antihistamines (drugs for the treatment of allergy), barbiturates or benzodiazepines. Other common side effects are: constipation, sickness, sedative effect, vertigo, dry mouth, sweating and weakness. It can even cause overdose or death. People overusing this substance experience its effect for 5 hours. So-called “buzz” is similar to those caused by opiates- sedative effect, accompanied by euphoria.
Long-term effects
Chronic use of Oxycontin leads to the development of tolerance, so the patient needs higher and higher doses of the drug to achieve the desired effect. After a while, Oxycontin cause physical addiction, accompanied by the withdrawal syndromes in the absence of the drug. They include: fatigue, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea and sickness, cold sweats, chills and involuntary leg cramps.
Other side effects
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- Constipation
- Sickness
- Confusion
- Vertigo
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Sweating
- Malaise.
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The chewing of pill can cause toxic overdoses and death.
