Understanding the addictive nature of oxycodone is crucial in ensuring its safe and effective use in pain management. The mechanism of action lies in its ability to act as an opioid receptor agonist. This means that oxycodone attaches How Addictive Is OxyContin itself to mu-opioid receptors in the brain, a process known to alter pain perception. Purdue filed for bankruptcy in 2019 as it faced thousands of opioid-related lawsuits.
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- This rise was markedly escalated in 1996, when OxyContin, a common brand formulation of oxycodone, was first introduced.
- OxyContin addiction refers to a chronic disorder characterized by the compulsive use of OxyContin despite harmful consequences.
- In contrast, Percocet combines oxycodone with acetaminophen, an over-the-counter pain reliever, and is formulated for immediate release, offering shorter-term pain relief.
- Demographically, non-Hispanic whites in rural areas of the U.S. show the highest rates of OxyContin addiction, with males aged 25–44 being the most affected.
People who take opioids are at risk of opioid use disorder, often called opioid addiction. But it’s impossible to tell who could become dependent and misuse opioids. The misuse of opioids — legal, illegal, stolen or shared — is the reason 90 people die in the U.S. every day on average, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Opioid withdrawal can be dangerous and requires professional intervention to help manage symptoms. If you or someone you know may have developed an addiction to oxycodone or OxyContin, seeking help for detox is the first step.
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Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines.
Addictive Potential of Oxycontin
Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica’s empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community. It is critical to note that naloxone does not stop an overdose completely, and the victim can go back into overdose symptoms once the naloxone wears off. An oxycodone overdose can be treated using Naloxone (Narcan), which pauses the toxic effects of an overdose. Medical detox for oxycodone is the safest method of withdrawal. It is designed to make this challenging time easier and help you avoid an oxycodone relapse.
What Happens if You Take OxyContin Every Day?
Ironically, extended-release formulations like OxyContin were created to reduce the need for frequent dosing and steady plasma levels. It provides longer pain control with potentially lower risk of highs and lows in drug levels. Since the use of Oxycontin results in increased amounts of the “feel good” chemical dopamine being released into the brain, its potential for misuse that leads to addiction is high. In addition, a user can develop tolerance to the drug, meaning that over time, it takes more of the drug to achieve the same effects. In 2021, about 8.7 million people misused prescription pain medications, and 2.5 million adults had opioid use disorders.
Choosing an OTC Pain Reliever: What to Consider
- In Vitro Testing In vitro physical and chemical tablet manipulation studies were performed to evaluate the success of different extraction methods in defeating the extended-release formulation.
- It is designed as a controlled-release tablet to manage moderate to severe chronic pain, particularly in cases requiring long-term, around-the-clock treatment.
- Taking oxycodone for a longer period of time may make it hard for you to get pregnant or get your partner pregnant.
In this intensive level of care, patients live onsite at the facility and focus on their recovery, attending counseling sessions and receiving around-the-clock medical support to learn to live without substances. Partial hospitalization programs (PHP), intensive outpatient programs (IOP), or outpatient care are all possible next steps, depending on the level of care you need. All patients graduating from our programs receive access to alumni resources and aftercare planning alcoholism treatment to support them in their recovery.
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Drug interactions, dosing, and pregnancy and breastfeeding information should be reviewed prior to taking this medication. Using this medicine while you are pregnant may cause serious unwanted effects, including neonatal withdrawal syndrome in your newborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you think you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant while using this medicine. If you have been using this medicine regularly for several weeks or longer, do not change your dose or suddenly stop using it without checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. This may help prevent worsening of your condition and reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, such as stomach cramps, anxiety, fever, nausea, restlessness, runny nose, sweating, tremors, or trouble sleeping.

