OxyContinMichelle Aponte

Life, Society, & Drugs

What is OxyContin?

OxyContin is a drug that contains oxycodone hydrochloride.

It is prescribed to treat people who have chronic pain.

OxyContin is a Schedule II controlled substance and an agonist opioid.

History of OxyContin

OxyContin was first marketed in 1996 by Purdue Pharma L.P.

It was the first tablet to give a full 12 hours of pain relief.

It was originally made in 10, 20 and 40 milligram tablets until the 80 mg & 160 mg tablets were introduced by 2000.

In 2000, prescriptions for OxyContin rose to 5.8 million.

Street Names

OC's Ox Oxy Blue Hillbilly heroin Oxycotton

Dosages

Tablets are available in: 10 mg 15 mg 20 mg 30 mg 40 mg 60 mg 80 mg 160 mg (not available in the US)

How It Affects the Body

The body develops a tolerance and produces cravings which impact the user's central nervous system.

The subconscious memory of using the drug triggers the user to find more OxyContin to use.

Prices for OxyContin

Street prices $5 to $10 for a 10-mg

tablet $80 or more for an 80-

mg tablet a bottle of 40-mg pills

can cost almost $2000

Pharmacy prices $4 to $8 for a 10-mg

tablet $6 for an 80-mg tablet an OxyContin

prescription costs about $100

Side Effects of Oxycontin

Constipation Dizziness Drowsiness Dry mouth Nausea Headache Sweating Vomiting Weakness Severe allergic reactions

Abnormal snoring Confusion Fainting Irregular heartbeat Hallucinations Mental or mood

changes Seizures Severe stomach pain Tremors

Rare Reactions to OxyContin

1% to 5% of users reported:

Gastritis Anorexia Dyspnea Rashes Tinnitus Abnormal vision Chest pain Amnesia

Depression Hallucinations Hematuria Voice alteration Dry skin Speech disorders Vertigo

How OxyContin is Abused

Because OxyContin tablets are designed with a controlled-release feature, users chew them or crush them.

When crushed, they can be snorted or dissolved in water and injected.

Risks

Abusers of large doses are at risk for severe respiratory depression which can cause death.

Users who inject OxyContin are at risk of contracting HIV, Hepatitis B and C, as well as other blood-borne viruses.

Withdrawal/Detox

People who have gone through withdrawal from OxyContin have compared it to heroin withdrawal.

This kind of opiate embeds itself deeper into the organ tissue which causes a longer side effect of the body & mind.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Hot & cold sweats Heart palpitations Joint & muscle pain Vomiting Nausea Uncontrollable coughing Diarrhea Insomnia Depression Coma Even death can occur

Deaths Related to OxyContin Use

The CDC reported that nearly 40 Americans die every day from overdoses on painkillers such as Vicodin and OxyContin.

This results in about 15,000 deaths a year to overdoses on prescription drugs.

Studies also show that most OxyContin deaths may be suicides from depression.

Facts about OxyContin Addicts & Dealers

Addicts of OxyContin usually start out taking the drug for an injury.

9 out of 10 dealers don't have jobs because their income is enough.

Most dealers don't have to buy OxyContin to sell because their insurance pays for it or the state pays it for 'medical reasons'.

High School Statistics

According to the University of Michigan, about 4% of high school seniors in 2005 were abusing OxyContin for non-medical reasons.

By 2008, it was reported that one in twenty high school seniors have tried OxyContin.

High School Users

High school student Ryan paid for his OxyContin addiction by cashing in the $7000 in his savings account as well as selling his PlayStation, leather jackets, and his cell phone.

Katie, who is 18, stole $5000 from her parents over 2 months, writing checks in their name and stealing their ATM card. Katie and her friends stole jewelry and cameras from her house as well.

Heroin Use

Many OxyContin addicts switch to using heroin instead because it's less expensive.

An OxyContin addiction can cost almost $50,000 or more a year to maintain, while in many places, a heroin addiction can cost only $3,600 a year.

Drug Possession Laws

In Utah, if you are caught with possession of a Schedule II substance (such as OxyContin), it's considered a third degree felony and you can spend up to 5 years in jail with at least $5,000 in fines.

Dealers that are caught with 14 to 28 grams of oxycodone or OxyContin can recieve up to 15 years in prison.

Drug Liability Laws

In many places, prosecuting attorneys are holding the sellers of drugs responsible for the overdose deaths of the users.

This means that if a person dies from an OxyContin overdose, the authorities can trace the drugs to the seller and the seller can be convicted with second-degree murder or involuntary manslaughter.

Works Cited http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000589/ http://www.rxlist.com/oxycontin-drug.htm http://www.justice.gov/ndic/pubs6/6025/index.htm http://www.southcoastrecovery.com/oxycontin_treatment.html http://www.drugrehabnewhampshire.com/info.htm?0 http://www.news-medical.net/drugs/OxyContin.aspx http://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/medication/question706.htm http://www.oxycontin-detox.com/ http://abcnews.go.com/Health/prescription-painkiller-overdose-deaths-rise

/story?id=14858375 http://www.drugpossessionlaws.com/utah/ http://www.novusdetox.com/oxycontin-addiction-cost.php