Major Issues of Oxycodone - Research Paper Example

Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opiate. Semi-synthetic opiate is a type of narcotics derived by altering the chemical components in opium. It was originally synthesized in Germany in 1916 to improve opioids that already exist in the market such as morphine, codeine, and diacetylmorphine or heroin. It has been used in Europe since 1917. It was introduced in the US market in 1939. It is prescribed as an analgesic or painkiller for moderate to severe pain. Many pain relief medications have the active ingredient oxycodone. These medications include Percocet, Percodan, and Tylox in combination with other active ingredients such as aspirin or acetaminophen and NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen. OxyContin is a brand of single-ingredient oxycodone with a time-release mechanism. OxyContin was approved by U.S. Food and Administration in 1995 and became available in the market in 1996.

Oxycodone belongs to the Schedule II class or controlled substance which means it has high abuse potential. It causes physical and psychological dependence that people often misuse the drug. Oxycodone is a potent painkiller similar to heroin. It elevates dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that causes pleasurable experiences or euphoria. It also creates artificial endorphins, a chemical that binds receptors in the brain that gives one a “feel good” effect. It causes elation because the body cannot properly absorb the drug. Some illicit users abuse this drug to experience this euphoric high.

Oxycodone is misused in different ways: snorting the powder by crushing the pill, chewing it, and injecting the solution by crushing and dissolving the tablets in water. These methods defeat the time-release mechanism in OxyContin that causes the active ingredient to take full effect after ingestion. This dramatically increases the risk of overdose.

Like other opiates, oxycodone has side effects that can impair both mental and physical abilities. Common side effects include nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, seizures, constipation, blanking of emotions, and mental clouding. Acute overdose also can produce irregular breathing or respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, skeletal muscle flaccidity, low blood pressure and heart rate, coma, and death due to cardiac arrest or slowed breathing.

For the last 20 years, oxycodone has been the most abused prescription drug. Oxycodone is highly addictive because use over a long period (from several weeks to months) leads to tolerance and the need for higher doses to reach desired effects. Because of its effects similar to morphine and heroin, oxycodone appeals to morphine and heroin users. Some even call it hillbilly heroin. When users stop taking oxycodone, they can experience withdrawal symptoms. These include anxiety, insomnia, nausea, fever, and flu-like symptoms.

Like other narcotics, oxycodone is regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It is an expensive drug when acquired illegally on the black market. Prices may range from $25-50 for a 50 mg. tablet. However, with more generic brands becoming available, it may cost $5-10 per pill. To prevent abuse or excessive use and decrease toxicity, new formulations are being developed. Currently undergoing clinical trials is a new drug called Remoxy.

Drug users will go to great lengths to get the drugs. People would sometimes steal the drugs if they didn’t have the money to buy them. There was an incident in South Berwick, Maine, where someone got arrested for robbing three pharmacies for OxyContin. Sometimes, people would get illegal prescriptions of OxyContin. Doctors can also be part of this crime. In Winnipeg, a physician’s license was revoked for recklessly prescribing OxyContin and Percocet. To satisfy his addiction, he used his patients to acquire large quantities of narcotics. One woman in Florida was arrested for 23 counts of doctor shopping. She obtained 69 prescriptions from six different doctors who prescribed Oxycodone, OxyContin, and other controlled substances. These are serious criminal behaviours caused by addiction to this drug.

Statistics show an upward trend in OxyContin addiction. In 2004, SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 2.4 million persons aged 12 and up abused prescription pain relievers such as OxyContin. Nationally, ER visits for drug overdoses are caused by half by traditional street drugs and the other half by prescription drugs such as OxyContin. In 2004, there was an increase of 111% in ER visits involving nonmedical use of prescription drugs.

There are treatments available for oxycodone addiction. One is the rapid detoxification called the Waismann Method. This method is used by putting the patient under anaesthesia. It induces rapid withdrawal with another drug that blocks the brain with opiate receptors (Waismann Method, p. 1). The patient is put to sleep during the process of painful withdrawal. Rapid detox is a proven procedure that is very effective in oxycodone treatment. Another treatment option is rehab. Recovery can take as soon as two weeks to one year. There are residential and outpatient facilities that provide detox services. A common rehab method is the use of manufactured medicines. During the process, the medication is decreased in stages into lower doses until no more medications are needed. Addiction is a painful and serious disease. It is important to take precautions of drugs to prevent addiction.  Studies show that addicts who go into addiction treatment immediately have a better chance of recovering.