Oxycontin is a narcotic painkiller that is prescribed for people who have moderate to severe pain. This opioid works well when taken properly. However, as with any drug, Oxycontin also has effects. Oxycontin’s effects can be categorized as both short-term and long-term effects.

Some of Oxycontin’s effects are to be expected. These include lowered blood pressure, as well as lowered heart and respiratory rates too. Oxycontin also causes muscle relaxation. Some of Oxycontin’s effects are very negative though. These include: allergic reaction; difficulty with breathing caused by the throat closing, and the lips, tongue or face swelling; hives; skin that is cold and clammy; small pupils; seizures; and a loss of consciousness, which may result in a coma.

Short-term Oxycontin Effects

Oxycontin’s most serious risk is that it can cause respiratory depression. Simply put, this means that Oxycontin can seriously slow down a person’s breathing. This can be extremely dangerous and even fatal. For this reason, Oxycontin should not be used with anything else that is able to slow down a person’s breathing. This includes:

Alcohol

Barbiturates: These are drugs that affect the central nervous system and are used for their sedation and anesthetic effects. Benzodiazepines: These are drugs that are used for their sedative, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant affects. They are sometimes also used for relief from short-term disabling anxiety or insomnia. Antihistamines: These are types of cold and allergy medications.

Some of the short-term Oxycontin effects include constipation, nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, sedation, dry mouth, sweating and weakness.

Long-term Oxycontin Effects

Using Oxycontin for a long period of time can make a person build up a tolerance of the drug. This means that a person will then have to take a higher dosage of Oxycontin in order to get the same effects as they were initially getting from the drug.

Taking Oxycontin for a long period of time can also lead a person to become physically dependant on, or even addicted to, this drug. This is because the body becomes accustomed to having Oxycontin in its system. At this point, if usage of Oxycontin is either stopped or reduced, a person will show signs of withdrawal. Some signs of Oxycontin withdrawal are cold flashes with goose bumps, bone and muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, restlessness and insomnia, and involuntary leg movement. For this reason, it is very important that this drug is properly managed. Whenever Oxycontin is taken properly, it can be a very effective way in which to manage pain.

Some other Oxycontin effects that are long-term include:

• Cardiovascular damage: This is the body’s system that consists of the heart, arteries, veins and capillaries that circulates the blood throughout the body.
• Liver and kidney disease
• Arthritis

There are also a lot greater risks for pregnant women.

Of course, there is great danger if a person takes a tablet that has been altered by breaking, chewing, or crushing. This can actually lead to toxic overdose since these actions remove the time-releasing coating. When this is done, people can feel like they are high for up to five hours. This is described as a sedate, euphoric feeling.

With this information about Oxycontin’s effects in hand, you can now make an educated decision, with the help of your doctor, as to whether or not to take this medication.

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