Withdrawal from OxyContin

OxyContin is the time-release form of oxycodone, usually prescribed for chronic and severe pain. Because it contains a larger amount of oxycodone, it has become among some of the most abused prescription drugs.

Under prescribed dosage, OxyContin is an effective pain reliever, but when crushed and snorted or injected, the drug produces a quick and powerful "high" that some abusers compare to the feeling they get when doing heroin.

OxyContin should be used with extreme caution in patients with significant lung disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure or pre-existing respiratory depression. In such patients, even usual therapeutic dose of OxyContin may suppress the respiratory drive to the point of arrest.

OxyContin could cause severe hypotension. There is an added risk to individuals whose ability to maintain blood pressure has been compromised by a depleted blood volume, or after concurrent administration with drugs such as phenothiazines or other agents which compromise vasomotor tone.

Like other opioid narcotics, OxyContin can be fatal at high doses or when combined with other brain depressants such as alcohol.

OxyContin withdrawal symptoms can begin as soon as six hours after the last dose was administered and can last up to one week. A patient going through OxyContin withdrawal can experience some or all of the following symptoms: abdominal cramping, nausea, diarrhea, intense body pains, tremors, anxiety, profuse sweating, insomnia, muscle cramps and spasms, body chills and goose bumps, runny nose and eyes, paranoia, and depression. For an addict, or any patient without OxyContin withdrawal support, these symptoms can make it very difficult to terminate OxyContin treatment. OxyContin withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to: perpetually being tired, hot/cold sweats, heart palpitations, joints and muscles in constant pain, vomiting, nausea, uncontrollable coughing watery eyes, excessive yawning and chronic depression.