Oxycodone Addiction & Abuse

Oxycodone is classed as a semi-synthetic opioid along with hydrocodone. The drug comes from the opium poppy but it is manufactured from codeine compounds (a natural opiate) instead than directly from the plant. Formulated to address moderate to severe pain, like all opiates, oxycodone is highly addictive.

Founded in the 1900's, doctors have been prescribing oxycodone after injuries or surgeries to ease pain and discomfort. For years, the drug’s addictive characteristic was played down, with various medical groups and associations promoting the drug for excellent pain management. It wasn’t years later that the truth about the addictive quality of oxycodone became apparent. Today, medically-supervised use of this drug is legal in the United States.

Tolerance to oxycodone can build up over time. The need for higher doses to address pain or to achieve feelings of euphoria can lead to addiction, and overdosing becomes a risk. Overdose can lead to serious health complications and even death.

Screening Cut-Off and Detection Time

There are two cut-off levels in drug testing to show positive detection. The initial drug testing is deemed negative if the drug detected is below cut-off level. A negative reading does not necessarily means there is no drug in the system. It may indicate that there is drug in the system but its level is below cut-off point. If the initial result is positive a confirmatory test is required to support the initial test.

In urine drug testing, cut-off levels are measured in Nano gram per milliliter (ng/ml). The cut-off level for oxycodone is from 100-500 ng/ml within a detection period of 1-3 days. Confirmatory cut-off level for said drug is 100-300ng/ml.

DEA Drug Class

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is the implementing body of the Controlled Substance Act (CSA), and brings to justice all violators. The CSA regulates the manufacture, distribution, importation, distribution, possession, use and trade of prohibited and prescription drugs. Under the CSA are five schedules of classification based on the medical use, safety and potential for abuse of a particular drug.

Oxycodone fall under Schedule II which are drugs, chemicals or substances with a high potential for abuse that could lead to grave physical or psychological dependence. These drugs are dangerous and must only be used under medical supervision.

What Type of Drug is Oxycodone?

Oxycodone is classified as a narcotic painkiller or opiate analgesic. It is often prescribed in severe post-operative pain or in combination with other medications for moderate pain.

Oxycodone does not necessarily stop pain but it does decreased discomfort and increases tolerance to pain.

Oxycodone is found in opioids such as Percocet, OxyContin, Percodan and Endodan. The drug is classified as an opioid because it was produced by the modification of the baine, an organic compound found in opium. For clarification, an opiate is a drug (morphine, codeine) derived from the opium poppy while an opioid is a semi-synthetic or synthetic drug with opium-like qualities.

Forms and Routes of Administration

Oxycodone is available as a tablet, a capsule, concentrated solution, solution (liquid), extended-releases capsule and extended-release tablet to be taken orally.

• Tablet or capsule –Oxycodone comes in tablet or capsule form of various dosages. Some abusers crush the tablet or remove the capsule and swallow the powder for stronger effect. Snorting powdered oxycodone results to a quick “rush” that goes straight to the user’s brain. As a form of medication, this is usually taken without food every 4-6 hours.
• Extended-release tablet and capsule – This is taken every 12 hours with food. It could be sprinkled on food or poured into the feeding tube of a patient.
• Solution –There are brands of oxycodone that are in liquid form and given intravenously or subcutaneously to patients for a more controlled and effective pain relief therapy. Abusers crush oxycodone tablets and dissolve them in water or another liquid and then injected to the user’s vein.
• Liquid – This form of oxycodone may be mixed with juice to make it easier to swallow.

Oxycodone Brand Names

• Oxaydo
• OxyCONTIN
• Oxyfast
• Roxicodone
• Xampza ER
• M-oxy
• ETH-Oxydose
• OxylR
• APO-Oxycodone CR
• CO oxyCODONE CR
• oxyCODONE
• Oxy-IR
• OxyNEO
• pms-oxyCODONE

Oxycodone Uses

Oxycodone, classed as opiate narcotic, works by changing the way the nervous system and the brain respond to pain.

It is prescribed for the relief of moderate to severe pain, more so in managing post-operative and cancer cases. Extended-release capsules and tablets are used to effectively relieve pain on a 24-hour basis on people in severe pain, and who cannot be treated with other pain medications.

People who can be treated with other pain medication are not good candidates for oxycodone. Concentrated oxycodone solution, as well as extended-release capsules and tablets, should be prescribed to people who are used to the effects of opioid medications.

There are oxycodone medications that contain aspirin (Percodan), acetaminophen (Perocet), and ibuprofen and these must be prescribed by a licensed physician as these drugs could interact negatively with other medications.

Street Names for Oxycodone

• Oxy
• O.C.’s
• Oxycet
• Oxycottons
• Oxy 80’s
• Hillbill Heroin
• Killers
• Orance County
• Rushbo
• Beans
• Os

Side Effects of Oxycodone

Oxycodone is a powerful opiate that addiction to it is similar to heroin addiction. A person taking oxycodone as pain medication will soon develop tolerance to it. Pain that was manageable by a 10 mg dose may require a larger dose after a while. As a consequence he may try to acquire this drug illicitly as he cannot get a larger dose from his doctor. The road to abuse and addiction starts. As opiate addiction is compelling by nature, an addicted person will easily undergo moral values deterioration; commit crimes; ruin careers and family relations.

The best way to determine oxycodone use is through a drug test. The following are symptoms of oxycodone (opioid) use.

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Agitation
• Water or fluid retention
• Track or needle marks
• Lack of grooming and hygiene
• Inability to cough or lack of cough reflex
• Constipation
• Very or pin point small pupils
• Labored or shallow breathing
• Extreme sleepiness
• Mental cloudiness
• Itchiness

Short-Term Side Effects of Oxycodone

• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness
• Fidgeting, uneasiness
• Constipation
• Concentration and memory problems
• Slowed reaction time and movements
• Mental confusion
• Coma
• Respiratory depression
• Impaired judgment
• Kidney damage
• Liver damage
• Cardiovascular disease
• Increased pressure in the brain and spine

Long-Term Side Effects of Oxycodone

Using oxycodone for a prolonged period can lead to tolerance, psychological and physical dependence and addiction. Long-term side effects of oxycodone use and abuse can:

• Damage the white matter in the brain which may readily affect a user’s decision-making skills, behavior and stress response
• Increase risk of contracting HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis and bacterial endocarditis
• Cellulitis
• Sexual dysfunction
• Irregular menses
• Peripheral edema
• Suicidal behavior
• Withdrawal symptoms when usage is stopped

Special Conditions

There are certain risks of taking oxycodone. The risks must be weighed against the benefits of taking the drug.

• Allergies - People with allergic reactions to other medications, preservatives, food, dyes, and animals should inform their doctors before taking the prescription.
• Children –There are no studies yet to indicate safety and efficacy of oxycodone on children.
• Geriatric – Studies indicate no geriatric-specific problems linked to oxycodone. However, elderly patients with age-related liver, kidney or lung problem should be monitored to avoid serious side effects.
• Pregnant women must not take this medication
• Breast feeding – Studies indicate that breast milk of women on oxycodone is harmful to infants.
• Medications – Certain medications have contraindication with oxycodone.

People with the following conditions should not take oxycodone or any opioids:

• allergy to this drug and other opioids or any ingredients of the medication
• pregnant or breast-feeding
• taking or have taken (within the last 14 days) MAO inhibitors
• have a seizure disorder
• have a head injury
• have acute asthma or other obstructive airway diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis
• have acute alcoholism
• have heart failure due to chronic high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs
• have delirium tremens associated with alcohol withdrawal
• have increased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood
• have increased cerebral spinal fluid pressure
• have or may have bowel or digestive system problems
• have or may have appendicitis or pancreatitis
• have or may have a blockage in the digestive system
• have respiratory depression
• have severe central nervous system depression
• have mild pain that can be managed with other medications

Oxycodone Addiction

Oxycodone use for even just a few days has the potential to lead to tolerance and dependence. Tolerance develops prompting the person to increase his dosage. The penultimate step is psychological dependence and ultimately, physical dependence or addiction. Below are signs of opiate dependence:

• Strong cravings or urge to use opiates
• Failure to in Attempting to stop opiate use
• Promising to quit using but banks out on his word
• Cannot stop using opiate even if its usage has practically ruined him
• Shows oxycodone withdrawal symptoms
• Opiates rule his life
• Does irrational and even criminal acts to procure opiates

Oxycodone Withdrawal Symptoms

Suddenly stopping the use of oxycodone will lead to withdrawal symptoms. Drug dependence on opioids should gradually weaned off. Signs of withdrawal are:

• Gastrointestinal distress such as vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea
• Flu-like symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, shivering, sweating, muscle aches, sneezing
• High blood pressure and elevated heart rate
• Irritability, anxiety and restlessness
• Elevated temperature and tremor
• Loss of appetite, dizziness, leg cramps and yawning

The emotional and physical signs of using oxycodone are similar to the symptoms of using heroin as both are opioids.

History of Oxycodone

The creation of oxycodone was just an afterthought when the production of heroin as a non-addictive opioid failed in the 1890's. At that time, heroin was marketed by Bayer, a German company.

Heroin was banned in the United States prompting two German scientists to synthesize oxycodone, believed to be a semi-synthetic, non-addictive alternative for morphine, heroin and opium in 1916. By 1939, oxycodone was being marketed in the United States for pain relief. In 1950, a combination of oxycodone and aspirin was formulated. Called Percodan, this drug was dispensed by physicians. By 1963, Percodan was cited by the attorney general of California to be the cause of 1/3 of all drug addiction in the state.

In 1970, oxycodone was listed as a controlled substance in the United States. However, aggressive marketing of the drug for pain management led to a marked increase in prescription of this drug in the last 25 years. The increase in the availability of this opioid led to its greater availability at the black market which led to bigger risks of medical complications and possible drug abuse and overdose.