Roxicodone (oxycodone hydrochloride) are tablets that are used to manage pain severe enough that it needs an opioid analgesic and when alternative treatments become inadequate. It changes how our body feels pain as well as responds to it by working in the brain.
Description
Contents
Roxicodone is an opioid analgesic. Each tablet that has to administer orally contains 15 to 30 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride USP.
Oxycodone hydrochloride is a crystalline powder which has been derived from thebaine (an opium alkaloid). It is an odourless and white coloured powder.
Oxycodone hydrochloride can easily dissolve in water (1 gm of oxycodone HCL dissolves in 6 to 7 mL of water) but is only slightly soluble in alcohol (octanol-water partition coefficient is 0.7).
The inactive ingredients present in the tablet are sodium starch glycolate, microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, corn starch, stearic acid, FD&C Blue No. 2 and D&C Yellow No. 10.
How to use Roxicodone
It is suggested to read the medication guide before consuming oxycodone and while getting a refill. If you have further questions, you must consult your doctor or pharmacist.
This medication is supposed to be taken by mouth, only on direction by your doctor. It depends on you whether you want to take it or not.
But if you have symptoms of nausea, it is better to take this drug with food. Consult your doctor regarding the other ways nausea can be reduced, like lying down for an hour or two while avoiding head movements.
Consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice must be avoided when taking this medication, as grapefruits increase the probability of side effects.
The liquid form of this medication must be carefully measured with a measuring device/ spoon before taking it.
A household spoon should not be used for measuring. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist to understand how to measure it.
The dosage of the medication depends upon an individual’s medical condition. Only take medicine for the prescribed time and suggested dosage.
The medication will work best if it is taken at the first signs of pain. As the problem worsens, the effect of the drug may reduce.
People can face withdrawal if they abruptly stop the consumption of this medication. It is suggested to lower the dose slowly.
Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, trouble falling asleep, suicidal thoughts, restlessness, nausea, diarrhea, watering eyes, runny nose, muscle aches, sweating, or abrupt behavioral changes.
Side Effects of oxycodone
The most common side effects associated with oxycodone is an allergic reaction, like difficulty in breathing, breaking out of hives, swelling of lips, tongue, throat or face.
Opioid medicines like these can also slow down or stop your breathing, leading to death.
The emergency medical condition should immediately be sought out by the person taking care of you if your breathing slows down, you have blue colored lips or are hard to wake up.
The doctor must be called immediately if:
- Shallow or noisy breathing or if you stop breathing during sleep
- Weak heart rate and pulse
- Light-headed feeling
- Confusion, disorientation, unusual thoughts or behavior
- Seizure or convulsions
- Low cortisol levels- loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, weakness or tiredness
Seek medical attention at once if you are showing symptoms of serotonin syndrome, which include- confusion, agitation, fast heart rate, chest pain, fever, sweating, short of breath, trouble in walking, feeling faint, or muscle stiffness.
Long term use of this medication can also affect fertility in both men and women. But it is not known whether these effects can be reversed or not.
Common side effects of this medication include headache, tiredness, drowsiness, nausea, stomach pain and constipation.
Serious side effects are more commonly experienced by malnourished or debilitated people and older adults. All side effects have not been mentioned above. A doctor should be consulted regarding any side effects. Other side effects can also be reported to the FDA.
Contraindications
Roxicodone is contraindicated in patients suffering from:
- Respiratory depression
- Severe bronchial asthma, in a setting that is unmonitored or contains no resuscitative equipment
- Gastrointestinal obstruction, which includes paralytic ileus
- Hypersensitivity to oxycodone
Roxicodone Abuse and Addiction
Roxicodone has highly addictive properties. Its addiction can destroy your health and your hope for a better tomorrow. Doctors prescribe this narcotic to relieve moderate-to-severe pain.
It is an immediate relief tablet that provides sustained pain relief. The quick rush of pleasure that a person experiences on taking this medication creates the potential for addiction.
Roxicodone abuse means taking it in a manner that has not been prescribed by the doctor. There is a common misconception that Roxicodone is not as dangerous as illegal street drugs as the physician has defined it.
This idea is very wrong, and thus Roxicodone addiction is a problem in the United States that is growing day by day. Prescription drugs, when combined with benzodiazepines or methamphetamine, can be extremely lethal.
More than 9% of Americans abuse narcotics like Roxicodone in their lifetime. This percentage is more significant compared to the number of people who consume opiates under the supervision of their physician and those who buy illegal drugs from the streets.
Cause of Abuse
A combination of factors can cause Roxicodone addiction.
- Genetic: Addiction can run in families. Individuals who have a parent with an addiction are more likely to get addicted to these pills as well.
- Brain Chemistry: Some people take these narcotics to improve the proper functioning of their brain and central nervous system.
- Environmental: Children that grow up surrounded by addiction tend to find drug abuse to be expected.
Symptoms of Abuse
Symptoms vary depending upon the individual and the frequency of Roxicodone abuse. Some are:
- Mood- Irritability, anxiety, anger, euphoria, depression, mood swings
- Behavioural: the forging of prescriptions, ordering the drug on the internet, change in pitch of voice, financial problems, falling behind in work, school or socially, nervousness, frequently visiting the emergency room for vague complaints
- Physical: Seizures, dizziness, constipation, shock, respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest
- Psychological: brain fog, hallucinations, psychosis, delusions
Oxycodone is an analgesic ingredient and is a semi-synthetic narcotic. It has various actions similar to morphine, the most important being the organs that are composed of smooth muscle and the central nervous system. Hence, one should be careful while taking it.
Lacey Arlo is a wellness expert and a nutritionist who aims to help members with health and diet queries. Lacey Arlo has worked with junior, national, and Olympic-level athletes by providing them with customizing programmers, supplement strategies, and support during their travel and competition. From weight management, PCOD, thyroid-related weight loss, and nutrition for children to diets for pregnant and diets for senior citizens, She offers nutrition-aided solutions for different age groups with consideration for each person’s unique health demands.