Oxycodone
by Phyllis Lile-King (Overdose Law )Oxycodone / OxyContin®
Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opiate. It is the active ingredient in a number of commonly prescribed pain relief medications such as Percocet, Percodan, and Tylox. Each of these contains oxycodone in small doses combined with other active ingredients like acetaminophen.1 OxyContin is an extended release formulation of oxycodone, for long-term relief (up to 12 hours) of moderate to severe pain associated with conditions such as cancer and arthritis.2 Oxycodone is a schedule II controlled substance. Oxycodone, and particularly OxyContin has a high abuse potential, and in the past few years it has been linked to a number of overdose deaths.3 In 1996 data oxycodone was linked to 49 deaths; in 1999 that number rose to 262.4
Dosing
OxyContin comes in four available dosages. 10, 20, 40, and 80mg tablets. A 160mg tablet was previously available but was withdrawn from the US market in May 2001 because of its severe abuse potential and the potential for lethal overdose.8 What is an appropriate dose varies by patient, but what is clear is that for patients not tolerant to opiates, or whose tolerance to opiates is unknown, a dose of OxyContin can be fatal. Crushing the pill into a fine powder or chewing it defeats the time-release mechanism of the drug, causing all of the drug to be absorbed more quickly, increasing the risk of an overdose. Mixing the drug with alcohol can be fatal.
Pharmacology
Oxycodone works by attaching to pain receptors in the brain, which changes the pain messages being sent to the brain. Illicit users may initially use the drug to achieve a depressive, sleepy and drugged state, but once addicted, they must continue to use it to control withdrawal symptoms.
Effects
More serious complications and side effects from using oxycodone include respiratory depression and death.
If a physician prescribed too much oxycodone, OxyContin®, or Percocet to your family member, it may have resulted in an overdose, leading to death or a permanent injury, such as brain damage. If you want to speak to a lawyer about your case, contact us at http://overdoselaw.com
