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 OxyContin ®
The Good, The Bad and The
Ugly
Approved in 1995, OxyContin® is an effective and efficient analgesic
taken for moderate to severe pain. It slowly releases its active
ingredient, oxycodone over a twelve-hour period to provided
continuing, sustained pain relief. While it comes in liquid form and
capsule, it’s most common form is round tablets of 10mg, 20 mg, 40 mg,
and 80mg dosages.
A synthetic opiate twice as potent as morphine, Oxycodone works by
attaching itself to specific proteins called opioid receptors located
in the brain, spinal cord and gastrointestinal tract. Once the drug
attaches to the receptors, it blocks pain messages to the brain. In
addition to stopping the transmission of pain messages, Oxcodone
impacts areas of the brain that control the perception of pleasure,
thus the initial euphoria experienced by users. It is this euphoria,
and the mistaken belief that pain killers are safe, that Oxycodone
drug abuse is increasing rapidly. Users do not view pain killer as
addictive as drugs like heroin or cocaine, while in fact the truly
desperate addict will substitute heroin for Oxycontin, since it is
less expensive when purchased illegally.
OxyContin ® was first hailed as a miracle drug for its ability to
provide sustained relief for sufferers of severe pain. Unlike its
cousins Percocet and Percodan (which also contain oxycodone), which
provide only 3 – 6 hours of pain relief, Oxycontin has a time-release
coating that affords its users 12 hours of freedom from pain.
Unfortunately, the primary benefit of Oxycontin also contributes to
its addictive nature. Over time, a tolerance for the drug develops;
requiring increased dosage and many legitimate prescription patients
find themselves dependent on the drug.
Oxycontin is both physically and mentally addictive with short and
long term health consequences. Chronic use of OxyContin ® can
result in increased tolerance and the need for higher doses of the
medication to receive the initial effect. With physical addiction,
withdrawal symptoms occur when the drug is not available and include
restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, nausea,
vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps, and involuntary leg
movements.
Purdue Pharma, the makers of OxyContin heavily promoted the
drug as safer than other narcotics due to Oxycodone’s containment in a
time-release mechanism. However, illicit users quickly exploited the
drug by removing the time-release coating for the rapid release and
absorption of Oxycodone into the system. By crushing, chewing,
snorting, or cooking the drug for injection, users experience a quick
and intense euphoria similar to heroin. Once the pill’s coating is
removed, Oxycodone levels can reach up to 16 times higher than that
found in drugs like Percocet. If the user doesn’t die form an
Oxycontin overdose as the result of too much medication being
introduced into the bloodstream too quickly, their tolerance continues
to build and the vicious cycle known as drug addiction may be born.
Drug abusers use various names for the drug including Oxy, OxyCotton,
Oxy 80 (for the 80mg dose), OC, Killer, and Hillbilly heroin.
At Brown & Crouppen our experienced team of Oxycontin and defective
drug lawyers provide tough, aggressive representation for Oxycontin
victims and their families. When you choose us to handle your
Oxycontin lawsuit, our entire team becomes fully committed to your
cause. We’ll find answers, hold negligent companies responsible and
get you the compensation you deserve.
Brown & Crouppen can help you make informed decisions about your legal
rights, so please call Brown & Crouppen at
1-800-536-HELP for your free legal consultation or save
time with our online Contact Form.
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