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Oxycontin

What are opioids?

Opioids, sometimes called narcotics, are a type of drug. They include strong prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and tramadol. The illegal drug heroin is also an opioid.

A health care provider may give you a prescription opioid to reduce pain after you have had a major injury or surgery. You may get them if you have severe pain from health conditions like cancer. Some providers prescribe them for chronic pain.

Prescription opioids used for pain relief are generally safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by your provider. However, people who take opioids are at risk for opioid use disorder (OUD) and overdose. These risks increase when these medicines are misused. Misuse can include taking more than your prescribed dose or taking it more often, using it to get high, or taking someone else's opioids.

What is an opioid overdose?

Opioids affect the part of the brain that regulates breathing. When people take high doses of opioids, it can lead to an overdose, with the slowing or stopping of breathing and sometimes death.

What causes an opioid overdose?

An opioid overdose can happen for a variety of reasons, including if you:

  • Take an opioid to get high.
  • Take an extra dose of a prescription opioid or take it too often (either accidentally or on purpose).
  • Mix an opioid with other medicines, illegal drugs, or alcohol. An overdose can be fatal when mixing an opioid and certain anxiety treatment medicines, such as Xanax or Valium.
  • Take an opioid medicine that was prescribed for someone else. Children are especially at risk of an accidental overdose if they take medicine not intended for them.

There is also a risk of overdose if you are getting medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). MOUD is a treatment for OUD. Many of the medicines used for MOUD are also controlled substances that can be misused.

Who is at risk of an opioid overdose?

Anyone who takes an opioid can be at risk of an overdose, but you are at higher risk if you:

  • Take illegal opioids
  • Take more opioid medicine than you are prescribed
  • Combine opioids with other medicines and/or alcohol
  • Have certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, or reduced kidney or liver function
  • Are over 65 years old
What are the signs of an opioid overdose?

The signs of an opioid overdose include:

  • Very small pupils of the eyes
  • Falling asleep or loss of consciousness
  • Slow, shallow breathing
  • Choking or gurgling sounds
  • Vomiting
  • Limp body
  • Pale, blue, or cold skin
  • Faint heartbeat
  • Purple lips and fingernails
What should I do if I think that someone is having an opioid overdose?

If you think someone is having an opioid overdose:

  • Call 911 immediately.
  • Give the person naloxone, if it is available. Naloxone is a safe medication that can quickly stop an opioid overdose. There are two forms. One is a nasal spray that you spray info the nose. The other type is injected into the muscle under the skin, or into the veins. Naloxone works by blocking the effects of the opioids on the body. It's important to read the product instructions and check the expiration date before you give it to someone.
  • Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
  • Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
  • Stay with the person until emergency workers arrive.

Naloxone won't harm someone if they're overdosing on drugs other than opioids, so it's best to use it if you think someone is overdosing.

Can an opioid overdose be prevented?

If you are taking opioid pain medicine, there are steps you can take to help prevent an opioid overdose:

  • Take your medicine exactly as prescribed by your provider. Do not take more medicine at once or take medicine more often than you are supposed to.
  • Never mix the pain medicines with alcohol, sleeping pills, or illegal substances.
  • Store your medicine safely where children or pets can't reach it. Consider using a medicine lockbox. Besides keeping children safe, it also prevents someone who lives with you or visits your house from stealing your medicines.
  • Dispose of unused medicine promptly.

It is also important to teach your family and friends how to respond to an overdose. If you are at higher risk of an overdose, you will want get naloxone and carry it with you wherever you go. You can buy naloxone at a pharmacy.

Oxycontin FDA Approved Drugs

OXAYDO [Oxycodone HydrochlorideC18H21NO4ClH]
RX
-
5mg (oral tablet)
7.5mg (oral tablet)
Egalet Us IncJun 17, 2011
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE [Oxycodone HydrochlorideC18H21NO4ClH]
RX
-
100mg/5ml (oral solution)
10mg (oral tablet)
15mg (oral tablet)
20mg (oral tablet)
30mg (oral tablet)
5mg/5ml (oral solution)
Lannett Holdings IncSep 9, 2014
Lehigh ValleyOct 20, 2010
Mayne Pharma IncJun 5, 2014
Novel Labs IncApr 29, 2015
VistapharmJul 30, 2012
West-ward Pharms IntJul 12, 2013
Amneal PharmsJun 3, 2014
Avanthi IncAug 31, 2009
Epic Pharma LlcSep 22, 2015
Ken LifescienceApr 12, 2016
Nesher PharmsDec 8, 2005
Rhodes PharmsMar 9, 2011
Sun Pharm Inds IncNov 6, 2012
Vintage PharmsApr 13, 2015
Actavis ElizabethFeb 6, 2004
Alvogen MaltaDec 30, 2011
Aurolife Pharma LlcNov 19, 2012
Mallinckrodt IncJun 30, 2004
Ani Pharms IncMar 31, 2016
Wes Pharma IncNov 23, 2016
Wockhardt Bio AgJun 16, 2015
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

OXYCONTIN [Oxycodone HydrochlorideC18H21NO4ClH]
RX
-
10mg (oral tablet, extended release)
15mg (oral tablet, extended release)
20mg (oral tablet, extended release)
30mg (oral tablet, extended release)
40mg (oral tablet, extended release)
60mg (oral tablet, extended release)
80mg (oral tablet, extended release)
Purdue Pharma LpApr 5, 2010
  • Management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate..
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

ROXICODONE [Oxycodone HydrochlorideC18H21NO4ClH]
RX
-
15mg (oral tablet)
30mg (oral tablet)
Mallinckrodt IncAug 31, 2000
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

ROXYBOND [Oxycodone HydrochlorideC18H21NO4ClH]
RX
-
15mg (oral tablet)
30mg (oral tablet)
Inspirion DeliveryApr 20, 2017
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

WARNING: Consult a licensed physician in the appropriate field for medical treatment and drug prescription. Do not self medicate.