Transcript oxycodone

Oxycodone Has No Commercial
What is the most abused type of drug in
our country today?
 Believe it or not, prescription drugs are the winners
 At the head of these cabinet drugs is Oxycodone
(Oxycontin) or “Ox cotton,” an opioid derived drug
 Known for its similarities to the effects of heroin and
morphine
 Believed by users to be stronger than heroin, proved
to have 1.5-2xs the potency of morphine
How is this possible?
 Unlike most drugs
associated with the US’ drug
problems, oxycodone is
technically legal
 Used primarily for medical
purposes after release from
hospital care for a procedure
for pain
 Unlike morphine and heroin,
oxycodone can be
administered orally through
tablet form or crushed and
snorted for strong effects
This is your brain on oxycodone….
 Mimics the effects of natural
endorphins in the brain
 Binds to receptors that seek
pleasure-enhancing and
painkilling neurotransmitters,
sends message to them
 Once received, the user
feels no pain although the
condition does not change,
the user relaxes and the
pain is gone
Crime and Addiction
 Many will create fake
prescriptions or steal
doctors notes to access
the drug
 Leading cause in
pharmacy robbery in the
US today
 One of the cheapest
drugs to purchase
illegally
Side Effects of Abuse
As shown in the picture before, many side
effects exist for oxycodone.
Range from all different parts of the body,
affects everything
Short Term
 constipation, nausea,
sedation, dizziness,
vomiting, headache, dry
mouth, sweating, mood
changes, flushing, loss of
appetite, and weakness are
all effects
 Most notable effect:
respiratory depression
(slowed breathing) which
can cause difficulty
breathing and death
Long Term
 Can easily lead to
addiction, tolerence,
and dependence
 Can cause skin rashes
and hives to break out,
long term redness of
the eyes, and facial
swelling
 Attitude may become
more reckless and
irritable
Who is Affected?
Addiction affects everyone around the
addict; oxycodone addiction is no different
Very difficult to combat oxycodone
withdrawal, high relapse rate
Expensive rehabilitation treatment
involved
Withdrawal
 Symptoms include: sweating,
chills, abdominal cramps,
insomnia, nausea, loss of appetite,
vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness,
watery eyes, muscle pain, dilated
pupils, runny nose, yawning
irritability anxiety, backaches, joint
pain, weakness, high blood
pressure, fast breathing, and/or a
rapid heart rate
 Does not involve life threatening
symptoms although very
unpleasant
 Can occur after use has ended
whether abusing the drug or even
using it responsibly for medical
reasons