Oxycontin

OxyContin, manufactured by Perdue Pharmaceuticals, is a prescription pain killer containing the drug oxycodone, a drug similarly found in Percocet and Percodan. It is a semi-synthetic opiod analgesic used to treat chronic and long-lasting pain. Depending on the dosage, Oxycontin contains between 10 and 160 milligrams of oxycodone and is manufactured as a time release tablet. The drug is prescribed more commonly now to treat pain resulting from injuries, severe arthritis or pain related to cancer.

The pharmacological effects of Oxycontin include euphoria, sedation, analgesia, and respiratory depression. The drug is usually administered orally and has a controlled-release duration of 8-12 hours.

Dangers of Oxycontin and Addiction

In recent years Oxycontin has received much attention in the news due to its growing popularity as a treatment for chronic pain and also as a recreational street drug. In many cases the drug is associated with both physical dependency and psychological addition.

In 2001 the FDA required Perdue Pharmaceuticals to include a black box warning concerning the dangers of Oxycontin and addiction. The FDA had also asked Perdue to send letters to health care professionals detailing the dangers of Oxycontin addiction and the necessity to taper the drug to avoid serious withdrawal symptoms in cases of long term use.

In 2003 the FDA issued a warning discussing ads found in medical journals that they believed minimized the risks of Oxycontin and promoted uses considered unsafe. Product liability cases brought against the drug in cases of injury claim that the drug, due to its strength, is unreasonably dangerous and should not currently be on the market.

The Growth of Recreational Use of Oxycontin

The popularity of Oxycontin as a recreational drug has grown in recent years and has seen an upswing in usage by a younger population. This is a particularly dangerous problem due to the drugs strength and the alternative ways users are administering Oxycontin. The drug is often taken by crushing the pill and either ingesting, snorting, or injecting the powder. This causes the effect to be felt faster and much stronger, leading to an increased risk of accidental overdose.

Furthermore, when recreational use of Oxycontin occurs without a current tolerance to the drug, the chance of injury or even death from respiratory depression increases. In many cases, the lack of knowledge about the drug has led to injury or even death.

To learn more about legal claims relating to Oxycontin, you should consult an attorney who practices in the area of drugs and medical devices.

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Dangers of Oxycontin and Addiction

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