Description

OxyContin 80mg: Important Information, Uses, Dosage and Safety

OxyContin 80mg is a prescription medicine that contains oxycodone, an opioid pain medicine. It is an extended-release medicine. For some patients with severe ongoing pain requiring round-the-clock treatment, extended-release medicines containing oxycodone may be prescribed. Patients should use this medicine only under medical supervision because opioids can cause dependence, misuse, and serious breathing problems.

What is OxyContin 80 mg?

OxyContin is formulated to release oxycodone slowly over an extended period of time. It can therefore provide longer lasting pain relief than some rapid acting pain medications. However, the 80mg strength is a high strength opioid formulation and is not for all.

Before prescribing, healthcare providers will review the person’s medical history, history of opioid exposure, other drugs the person is taking, and the person’s own pain needs. Patients should therefore not change the strength or schedule by themselves.

What Is OxyContin 80mg Used For?

Doctors may prescribe extended-release oxycodone to treat severe persistent pain when other treatments are not enough. The medicine acts on opioid receptors in the central nervous system. Consequently, it can dull the body’s awareness of pain.

But most of the time, OxyContin is not meant for normal, short-term pain. Only a healthcare professional can decide if a long-acting opioid is right.

OxyContin 80mg Uses

Patients should receive and follow the exact directions given by their prescriber and chemist. Take extended-release tablets exactly as directed. Do not break, crush, chew, dissolve or otherwise alter an extended-release tablet unless specifically directed to do so by a health care professional.

Moreover, patients should never take more than the prescribed dose. Too much oxycodone can cause too much sedation, overdose, and dangerously slow breathing.

Side effects Common

Like other opioid medicines, OxyContin can cause side effects. Some common effects may include:

• Constipation
• Nausea & Vomiting
• Sleepiness
• Lightheadedness
• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Itch
• Fatigue

You may notice these effects more at the beginning of treatment or when your dose is changed. Therefore, patients should talk with their healthcare professional about side effects that are bothersome or persistent.

Important Safety Information

OxyContin can cause breathing problems that can lead to death, especially if it is misused or taken with other substances. The risk of dangerous sedation and respiratory depression can be increased if alcohol, sedatives, benzodiazepines, or other drugs that slow down the nervous system are taken.

Additionally, long-term use of opioids can lead to physical dependence. Dependence is when the body gets used to the medicine and stopping treatment suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms. That’s why patients shouldn’t stop long-term opioid therapy cold turkey without medical supervision.

Who Should Avoid Or Take Extra Care?

Special medical assessment may be required for people with breathing disorders, severe liver or kidney problems, head injuries or a history of substance-use problems. Pregnant patients or those who are breastfeeding should also talk to a healthcare professional about oxycodone treatment.

Patients should also inform their doctor about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter products and supplements they use. This decreases risk of dangerous drug interactions.

OxyContin 80mg Overdose Risk

An overdose of opioids can be fatal. Warning signs include extreme sleepiness, inability to wake up, slow or difficult breathing, unusual snoring and loss of consciousness. If an overdose is suspected, call a poison control centre immediately.

When given quickly, the drug naloxone can reverse an overdose of opioids. “Those who are receiving opioid treatment should talk with their healthcare professional about the availability of naloxone.

Conclusion

OxyContin 80mg is a strong opioid painkiller in a long-acting form and is indicated for the relief of severe chronic pain in carefully selected patients. It can be used safely and effectively to relieve pain, when prescribed appropriately, but carries significant risks, including dependence, misuse, respiratory depression and overdose.