Self Defense Magazine Semester 2 Self Defense Magazine on Drugs | Page 13

Oxycontin

Oxycontin is an opioid.

It is more powerful than heroin, and it could be smoked and injected. It is a semi-synthetic made from Persian poppies.

The drug changes how you feel and respond to pain.

It is meant to be a controlled-release tablet that is intended to be taken every 12 hours, but most people that take ocycontin take the drug out of the control-release packaging.

It is usually used in management of moderate to severe cancer pain, with fewer side effects than morphine.

-Serious side effects of oxycodone include reduced sensitivity to pain, euphoria, feelings of relaxation, and respiratory depression.

- Common side effects of oxycodone include constipation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, dry mouth, and sweating

-In high doses, overdoses, or in some persons not tolerant to opioids, oxycodone can cause shallow breathing, slowed heart rate, cold/clammy skin, pauses in breathing, low blood pressure, constricted pupils, circulatory collapse, respiratory arrest, and death.