Overview: Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic narcotic analgesic and historically has been a popular drug of abuse among the narcotic abusing population.

 

Street Names: Hillbilly Heroin, Kicker, OC, Oxy, Perc, Roxy

 

Looks Like: Oxycodone is marketed alone as OxyContin® in 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg controlled-release tablets and other immediate-release capsules like 5 mg OxyIR®. It is also marketed in combination products with aspirin such as Percodan® or acetaminophen such as Roxicet®.

 

Methods of Abuse: Oxycodone is abused orally or intravenously. The tablets are crushed and sniffed or dissolved in water and injected. Others heat a tablet that has been placed on a piece of foil then inhale the vapors.

 

Affect on Mind: Euphoria and feelings of relaxation are the most common effects of oxycodone on the brain, which explains its high potential for abuse.

 

Affect on Body: Physiological effects of oxycodone includeL pain relief, sedation, respiratory depression, constipation, papillary constriction, and cough suppression. Extended or chronic use of oxycodone containing acetaminophen may cause severe liver damage.

 

Drugs Causing Similar Effects: Drugs that cause similar effects to oxycodone include: opium, codeine, heroin, methadone, hydrocodone, fantanyl, and morphine.

 

Overdose Effects: Overdose effects include: extreme drowsiness, muscle weakness, confusion, cold and clammy skin, pinpoint pupils, shallow breathing, slow heart rate, fainting, coma, and possible death.

 

 

*Above information courtesy of the Drug Enforcement Administration (www.dea.gov)