OxyContin is the brand name for a formula of oxycodone, first developed in 1995. It is an opioid pain medication, which is also known as a narcotic. OxyContin can prescribed to dull severe pain that is expected to last for an extended period of time. It is typically given to patients with arthritis, cancer, or for post-operative pain. OxyContin is not to be used as an as needed drug; it is used for around the clock treatment. OxyContin contains between 10 and 80 milligrams of oxycodone. Because it is a time release formula, OxyContin allows up to 12 hours of relief. Originally it was just a blessing for patients who needed round the clock relief. Soon it began being abused. What was once just helpful to one became detrimental to another. Opiates
Over the past two decades, pharmaceutical companies have quietly invaded American’s homes by introducing new miracle drugs such as OxyContin into their daily lives. Purdue Pharmaceuticals introduced OxyContin saying it was a miracle cure for pain that would last twelve hours. However, “even when doctors began reporting that patients were complaining
Opioids are a class of drugs used to help an individual’s pain perception. They include prescriptive and nonprescriptive medications: morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and fentanyl. Heroin is also an opioid, but it is a classified Schedule 1 illegal drug.
Percocet is a medication prescribed by medical practitioners to patients to relieve moderate to severe pain. Percocet contains elements of acetaminophen and oxycodone. Oxycodone and acetaminophen are both pain relievers however, oxycodone is considered an opioid. Opioids are considered a Schedule II narcotic. Oxycodone was first established in Germany in 1916 as an alternative to highly addictive pain relievers heroin and morphine. Oxycodone mixed with aspirin created Percodan which was highly addictive. Unable to be used for post operation pain, Percocet was created in 1974. Percocet is twice as strong as morphine. Percocet has been FDA approved and been out on the market since 1976. Within the later part of the century doctors favored the Percocet more because of the influx of coal miners experiencing work related pain. The strenuous work of coal miners created the right environment for abuse and addiction to plant roots. Percocet followed coal miners until it gains traction in other states. At this time Percocet is legal and comes in
Typically, the drug would be prescribed after a major surgery, or traumatic event. When Oxycontin was originally designed, the makers intended for the outer shell to release medicine over time. The time release formula ensured users pain relief for hours on end; eliminating the need to be popping pills every few hours.
In the early 1990’s many doctors were hesitant in prescribing narcotics because they were seen as harmful and habit forming. Purdue Pharma the creator of OxyContin changed the ways of the drug industry. Purdue changed the mindset of many physicians and family doctors inconveniencing them that the new to the market drug was revolutionary, with promises of quick pain relief that last up to 12 hours. With marketing adds like “Remember, effective relief just takes two” Purdue Pharma convinced doctors that it was virtually impossible to become addicted (HARRIET RYAN, 2016). The rise of OxyContin started in 1996. OxyContin
In addition to Vicodin, the pain killer Oxycontin is also widely abused. It is used to treat severe pain that is expected to last a prolonged amount of time. Oxycontin has many similar side effects of Vicodin along with sweating, itching, loss of appetite, and severe weakness. It works by blocking the brain from receiving pain messages. The reason Oxycontin is so dangerous is because it is highly addictive and is a central nervous system depressant. It is believed that a younger healthier college student is more likely to become addicted to the drug rather than an older adult taking it for pain reasons. This is because taking Oxycontin to get high has a completely different effect on the body (“Oxycontin”).
The documentary points to a company called Pharma Purdue, which seemed to have caused a momentum in drug addictions and deaths, after releasing a drug called Oxycontin (Oxycodone). Originally it was pushed as a pain medication, supposedly not as addictive as other pain medications. "Oxycontin was not really a new drug. The molecule has been around since 1916. What they did is, they took this old extinct drug, and they introduced a time release mechanism into it so that it would be significantly less addictive because it wouldn 't be released upfront, all at once. That’s how they pitched it to the FDA" (Katherine Eban, Fortune).
OxyContin is a controlled drug containing oxycodone, the active ingredient responsible for eliminating the pain associated with: injuries, bursitis, dislocation, fractures, neuralgia, arthritis, lower back pain, and pain associated with cancer. When taken according to the proper dosage, the oxycodone runs on a perfectly timed release in the body’s system in order to manage the pain. This narcotic, when abused, produces heroin like effects and can enable the user to develop a tolerance, forcing an increase in dosage per intake in order to achieve the desired effects. Though OxyContin is
To ease this pain researchers associated with Purdue Pharma created Oxycontin to help patients with chronic and unbearable pain resulting from accidents, cancer or old age. In every year since it was released, the number of prescriptions prescribed to patients has increased by several hundred percent. Oxycontin is a trade controlled release form of Oxycodone that is prescribed to treat chronic pain. When used properly, Oxycontin can provide pain relief for up to twelve hours. The drug enters the body and stimulates certain opoid receptors that are located
A person may take Ambien only to find it is no longer working and increase the dose or the frequency. Oxycodone is prescribed for those who are in pain, yet regular use can also lead to the person becoming dependent on the drug. We help individuals in these situations overcome their addiction and get their life back on track," Ross continues.
Opioid pain medicines are strong medicines that are used to treat serious pain. Only take these medicines while you are working with a doctor. You should only take them for short amounts of time.
At this time the patient is completely addicted to the medication, since the medication does decrease the pain, it also releases the dopamine chemical in the brain the feel good chemical. During this the brain is no longer releasing the chemical dopamine; this will cause the patient to start to show signs and symptoms of withdrawal. A person who is withdrawing from Oxycontin may exhibit signs of stomach upset, aggressive behavior, flue like symptoms, agitation behavior, becoming increasing restless. Now that the patient cannot receive medication from the doctor the next step to receive the fix is to buy the drug off the street. If the person is able to find the drug on the street, the person will usually spend up to eighty dollars for one pill of Oxycontin 80mg. some of the ways that the person can ingest the medication for a faster effect is to crush and snort the pill, dissolve the drug and inject the drug straight into the vein. When injected in to a vein, or snorted the person, will get the full effect of the drug at one time this is called a bolus. In case the person is unable to acquire the medication, the next step would be heroin to ward off the withdraw pain. Since heroin and Oxycontin are chemically the same, the person may feel the same effects but at a cheaper price on the
Some examples of opioid medications are: oxycodone, fentanyl, morphine, and meperidine (Hart 2013). Not all opioids are used for pain, but this paper will focus on those that are currently used for pain in the United States.
Hydrocodone a drug used to change how your brain and your nervous system reacts to pain. When taken the medication correctly it should relieve mood, reduction of pain. Hydrocodone was introduced in the 1920’s from the country of Germany. Carl Mannich and Helenen Lowenheim were the first to report it being in use in 1923( Eckenrode, S. L. (2015).Hydrocodone is a form of opiate, analgesic, it is described as white crystals as a crystalline powder and reacts to light. This drug classified as a schedule II drug known as a controlled substance. Hydrocodone is often always found in combination with acetaminophen such as Vicodin and Lortab (Advokat, C. D., Comaty, J. E., & Julien, R. M. 2014). As of 2012, the United States Hydrocodone is the most used drug prescribed to treat pain. The United States has consumed 99% of this global supply for 4.4% of the worldwide population. (Manchikanti, L., Atluri, S., Kaye, A.M., Kaye, A.D). The US Drug and food administration approved the drug for sale in the United States in 1943.
Oxycodone, often sold as OxyContin, is an opiate drug that come is an opioid that comes from the poppy plant. Sometimes, Oxycodone will be combined with over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to increase the effective and potency of the drug. In all of its forms, Oxycodone changes the way the central nervous system responds to pain by creating a euphoric and sedative effect. This time-released painkiller meant for patients who need of moderate to severe pain relief after surgery or a major