Oxycodone Treatment of Pain

Oxycodone is an opiate with some synthetic properties that is used in the treatment of pain. As one of a group of drugs in the narcotic pain reliever category, oxycodone is used to treat mild to severe pain, much the same way morphine is. Its use is highly regulated because of its addictive properties, and should only be used by those under the direct care of a doctor. Oxycodone is often sold under the brand name OxyContin™.

The most common use of oxycodone is for after-surgery treatment when the use of other drugs is ineffective. Generally, however, the drug is only given to those who were also using it before the surgery to control pain. Oxycodone provides nearly 24-hour relief before another dose is needed and therefore becomes a convenient option for those patients needing pain relief. It is available as prescription medication at a pharmacy and thus can be taken home for use in treating pain there.

Given how powerful the drug is, it is considered one of the best pain relievers on the market. Often, in pill form, it may be mixed with other pain relievers as well, such as acetaminophen or aspirin. Together, the drugs do a very good job of relieving patients of their pain.

Oxycodone is not without its problems, however. It has a great potential for abuse because of its effectiveness, but also because it can elevate levels of dopamine in the body, which is linked to pleasure. In these ways, it is like heroin. In fact, those who are addicted to heroin may turn to oxycodone and other alternative opiates when heroin is not available.

There are a number of ways that this drug can be used besides its originally-intended purpose. The pill can be crushed into a power and then snorted. It can be chewed up and swallowed. Also, it can be crushed into a powder, mixed with water, and injected. This allows users to bypass the mechanism that controls the release of the drug into the body over time, providing a large jolt all at once. Using the drug in any of these ways is against the law in many jurisdictions throughout the world, including the United States.

Those who feel that they may be addicted or dependent on the drug should consult their physician as soon as possible. Oxycodone addiction can become a serious problem. Once the addiction is fed, it becomes harder to break and those addicted become more susceptible to overdose, which can lead to a number of health problems, including fatal cardiac arrest.