Oxycontin is the brand name for Oxycodone Hydrochloride, a sustained release pain reliever approved by the FDA in 1995.
Oxycodone Hydrochloride is a prescription medication which is available as a generic drug and under the brand name Oxycontin. It is a sustained release narcotic which means that although it is taken as a single tablet, it is released into the body over a period of time.
When oxycodone enters the central nervous system, it binds the opioid receptors located in the brain and spinal cord.
This relieves pain by blocking out the body’s natural response to discomfort. Because of its sustained release formula, Oxycontin is commonly prescribed to help relieves severe chronic pain like that experience by some cancer patients.
Oxycontin is a sustained release drug usually taken in tablet form and it is available in dosages between five and 80 milligrams. Always swallow the tablets whole as they are specifically formulated to release oxycodone slowly.
Oxycodone should be taken with a full glass of water. Because Oxycodone Hydrochloride is highly addictive, it is classified by the FDA as a schedule to drug, which means it is more tightly regulated than most medications.
The most common side effects of oxycodone are constipation, nausea and drowsiness, but you should ask your doctor for a complete list.
Also, be sure to tell your physician immediately if you experience slow breathing, clammy skin, weakness or other significant changes.
Oxycodone should not be taken in conjunction with Naltrexone, alcohol, anti depressants or antihistamines. Ask your doctor for a full list of medications and conditions that should not be combined with Oxycodone.
Because of its long duration of action, Oxycontin can be helpful for patients dealing with chronic discomfort. However, the drug should always be used under the direct care of a physician. Please ask for and review all of the information provided by your doctor before taking oxycodone.
The information in this video is intended to supplement not substitute for the prescribing instructions and the expertise of your physician. Always consult your doctor before using this drug.
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