OxyContin and Oxycodone

OxyContin is the brand name of the generic drug oxycodone, a pharmaceutical-grade heroin. It is highly addictive. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 6 million OxyContin prescriptions were dispensed in 2006 alone, and oxycodone-related deaths increased 400 percent from 1996 to 2006.

Appearance

• The generic form of the drug, oxycodone, is a light green, oval-shaped pill stamped with the number "33" on one side and "93" on the other. The OxyContin brand includes the letters "OC" stamped on one side and a number representing the dosage stamped on the other. OxyContin is available in dosages of 20, 40, 80 or 160 milligrams.

Unintended Effect

• The drug is used to ease pain. It has no therapeutic value. Some taking people OxyContin or oxycodone, however, experience opioid-induced hyperalgesia. This is a condition in which opiates actually make pain worse---as the body attempts to overcome the dulled sense of pain---to alert the brain that the body has a problem.

Abuse and Addiction

• Signs of abuse or addiction to the drug include theft, sale of possessions, sudden secrecy, clammy skin, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion and slow breathing. Seizures, vomiting and pinpoint pupils are also signs of oxycodone abuse, as are boils and skin abscesses when the drug is injected.

Withdrawal

• Withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, agitation, diarrhea, vomiting, chills, muscle pain, bone pain and involuntary leg movement. Medical help to ease withdrawal symptoms is often required to overcome addiction.

Street Names

• OxyContin's many street names include OxyCotton, oxy, ox, hillbilly heroin, kicker and OC. The term Oxy followed by a number, such as Oxy 80, is sometimes used to refer to a specific OxyContin dosage.