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Oxycodone Side Effects, Abuse and Detox Treatment

What is Oxycodone?

Oxycodone is a prescription opiate (narcotic) analgesic, also called “painkiller.” Specifically, it works by changing how the brain feels and responds to pain. In essence, physicians prescribe this drug to treat moderate to severe pain.

It is also sold in the US by the brand names OxyContinRoxicodone, Xtampza ER, OxyIR, Oxydose, Oxyfast, Dazidox, Eth-Oxydose, and Oxaydo. Additionally, there are a number of multi-ingredient drugs containing oxycodone. Some brand names are Percocet, Endocet, Combunox, Troxyca ER and Targiniq ER.

In 1916, a German laboratory-developed Oxycodone, which has a similar chemical structure to that of codeine. Moreover, the drug is derived from thebaine, an opiate alkaloid. In essence, OxyContin is the extended-release version of oxycodone, and it was introduced in the U.S. in 1996. Furthermore, individuals can take it orally, rectally, intranasally or through intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous injection.

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Oxycodone Side Effects

  • Constipation
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Anxiety
  • Euphoria
  • Dry mouth
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nervousness
  • Diarrhea
  • Cramps 
  • Abdominal pain

In rare cases, the drug can cause impotence and enlargement of the prostate gland. Also, in patients who aren’t tolerant to opiates, or in the case of overdose, effects can be more dangerous. For example, they include shallow breathing, cold and clammy skin, hypertension, pupil constriction, circulatory collapse, respiratory arrest, and death.

Oxycodone Abuse

Oxycodone is a powerful semi-synthetic opioid painkiller. It was considered a miracle drug for many people in severe, debilitating pain. It provided pain relief for the first time to some who had suffered for years. Sadly enough, those same patients found themselves a slave to Oxycodone dependence. Tolerance starts building, and the original dose no longer handles the person’s pain. Therefore, they must continually increase the dosage and what the doctor prescribes is simply not enough. As a result, people might begin seeking drugs through illegal means like doctor-shopping or even turn to the streets.

Both oxycodone and OxyContin have the potential for abuse and dependence. Although it’s an absolutely frightening statistic, it’s also true. Every 19 minutes in the U.S. we lose a life to a prescription drug overdose. That’s approximately 75 deaths per day, 530 per week and 27,587 per year. Moreover, this statistic is three times the number it was in 1990 and eclipses the number of deaths caused by heroin and cocaine combined.

In the recent 2013 National Drug Control Strategy by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, data from 2011 showed that 2.3 million Americans used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes for the first time, with 1.9 million of them using painkillers, mostly opioids.

While this is also considered one of the most expensive drug problems to have, the statistics of people illegally abusing prescription painkillers solidify the fact that more education and treatment options are necessary to combat this rising problem.

Contact us and learn more about the best treatment options available for you!

Withdrawal Symptoms

People taking this drug should reduce their use slowly because stopping abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms to begin quickly. The drug is a narcotic pain reliever with similar properties to that of Morphine. The physical and psychological discomfort of withdrawal is one of the main reasons people delay seeking treatment for addiction.

Symptoms of Oxycodone withdrawal are much the same for all narcotic pain medications. For instance, they include:

  • muscle and bone pain
  • anxiety
  • nausea
  • insomnia
  • flu-like symptoms
  • tremors 
  • restlessness

Oxycodone Rapid Detox and Treatment Options

Detox can be painful, especially in those who have used drugs for a long time, at high doses. As a result, it is often difficult to stop using opiates without help.

In-patient and out-patient treatment centers offer a variety of therapies for addiction. However, depending on the severity and length of abuse, treatment could entail detox, rehabilitation, and counseling. Hospital-based Waismann Method medical treatments, including rapid detox programs, provide supervision and medical services to make detox safe and comfortable. In fact, we are proud to offer our patients the best medicine has to offer in treating opiate dependency. The significant difference between Waismann Method® treatment and other medical detoxifications is our patients’ safety, comfort, and success. Every patient has a different medical and dependency history, and we treat them as individuals with specific needs.

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