Oxycodone

Oxycodone, an opioid medicinal drug, quickly gained popularity in the drug market, has been used repeatedly by opioid addicts as a substitute for heroin, fentanyl.

Oxycodone is considered an analgesic medication and belongs to the class of semi-synthetic opioids. Their thebaine is synthesized. Usually prescribed to relieve severe to moderate pain symptoms. It was created in Germany in 1916 in an attempt to improve one of the existing opioids.

Available in the form of capsules, tablets, as well as solutions for intramuscular and intravenous administration. Drug addicts have not ignored this drug: the effect of oxycodone is compared to that of codeine. It has many alternative names, the most common of which are: Oxy, Tylox, OxyContin, Percodon, Percocet, Roxyset.

Medical applications

The substance oxycodone has been used for medicinal purposes since its inception. It is most actively used to suppress moderate to severe pain syndrome at the time of chronic or acute diseases.

Orally used by patients with oncology – it is recommended to take it every twelve hours. In 2001, oral oxycodone was recommended as a replacement for morphine by the European Palliative Care Association.
Other forms of drug release are used for pain relief.
Oxycodone is often used in combination with paracetamol or analgin.

Oxycodone has a mild analgesic effect. It demonstrates the greatest efficiency in acute pain, when used with pain of a prolonged nature, it shows a lesser effect. When comparing oxycodone to other pain relievers, the following analogies can be seen (compared to 10 mg oxycodone taken orally):

-equivalent to 20 mg of morphine taken orally;
-30 mg of codeine taken orally.

One of the positive effects of oxycodone is the ability to suppress withdrawal symptoms from other drugs taken by the person. At the same time, the drug is not used in the treatment of addiction – according to experts, addiction develops very quickly from it.

Effects of oxycodone on the body

The substance Oxycontin to achieve a state of intoxication can be taken orally or by subcutaneous and intravenous injection. The effect is similar to the effect of other opiates on the body. After taking the substance, there is a feeling of lightness, unpleasant and painful sensations disappear, and a favorable mood appears. A few minutes after the drug enters the bloodstream, a dreamlike state develops, which is characterized by

-relaxation;
-indifference to what is happening;
-a decrease in the level of criticality to one’s own statements and behavior.

The drug begins to act within ten minutes after administration, and the most pronounced effect occurs in about half an hour. The duration of action can be up to six hours.

Like most opiates, oxycodone has a pronounced sedative effect. The state of relaxation can be accompanied by a general inhibition of movements. In some cases, the addict may fall into a thoughtful, detached state, sometimes – doze off. After a long and regular use of the remedy, drowsiness and lethargy disappear, giving way to vigor and a surge of strength. At this point, you need to be wary: this phenomenon demonstrates the development of physical dependence on the drug.

Legal status

The drug oxycodone and its release are controlled by international drug conventions. The regulation procedure for a drug differs from country to country. Its production, circulation and sale is prohibited and prosecuted by law. The exception is the scientific and medical purposes of production, storage and trade. To sell the drug to individuals, a prescription from a doctor is required.

Manifestation of dependence on oxycodone

With regular intake of oxycodone, the following symptoms can be observed in a person:

-Drug oxycodonnarity pupils that stop responding to changes in light levels (do not increase in darkness);
-dryness and pallor of the skin, the appearance of an icteric shade;
-decrease in muscle mass;
-caries, loss or partial decay of teeth;
early baldness
-lowering blood pressure and slowing heart rate.

A characteristic sign that a drug is being used constantly is a rapid increase in tolerance to the substance. Over time, you can observe the manifestation of strong withdrawal symptoms. The human psyche also changes dramatically – his interest is focused solely on taking the drug, irritability, insomnia, anxiety and panic attacks appear.

A serious risk that those taking oxycodone should face are respiratory problems, in particular respiratory depression. Subsequently, diseases of the digestive tract develop, accompanied by nausea, constipation and dry mouth, and headaches begin. In case of overdose, death is possible.

Consequences of taking oxycodone

Regular drug intoxication with the drug causes a rapid development of tolerance. The term for the formation of dependence differs due to individual characteristics – body weight, age, dosage and other things, but in general it can range from two weeks to two months. After this time, persistent physical dependence appears, which is accompanied by a strong “breakage”.

The most severe withdrawal symptoms occur when the addict tries to suddenly and quickly withdraw from the drug. It is not recommended to do this: according to the rules of medicine, it is worth reducing the dosage gradually. With the cancellation of oxycodone, in addition to pain from withdrawal, there is:

-Drug oxycodon suppressed state;
-anxiety, anxiety, panic;
-muscle weakness or even severe muscle pain;
fever;
-thirst and dry mouth.

Serious consequences await those addicts who take the drug for a long time. If initially the state of narcotic intoxication was caused in order to experience a state of euphoria, then the drug is used in order to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Some drug addicts, in order to avoid symptoms altogether, increase the frequency of use, which ultimately only exacerbates the situation.

Among the consequences, he distinguishes the development of respiratory diseases, the failure of the reproductive system, infertility in women and impaired potency in men. Mental illness begins to develop, up to schizophrenia. Unfortunately, with a stable dependence on the drug, the addict is unable to independently abandon it. In this case, complex treatment is recommended, which should include drug therapy, work with a psychotherapist, and group sessions.