What does OxyContin look like? What does OxyContin look like?

What is OxyContin? What is OxyContin? How is OxyContin abused? How is OxyContin abused?

Who abuses OxyContin? Who abuses OxyContin?

What are the risks? What are the risks?

What is OxyCWhat is OxyC

What is OxyContin?What does OxyContin look like?

OxyContin, a trade name for the

narcotic oxycodone hydrochloride, is apainkiller available in the UnitedStates only by prescription. OxyContinis legitimately prescribed for relief ofmoderate to severe pain resulting frominjuries, bursitis, neuralgia, arthritis,and cancer. Individuals abuseOxyContin for the euphoric effect itproduces—an effect similar to thatassociated with heroin use.

OxyContin is available as a 10

milligram (mg), 20 mg, 40 mg, or 80mg tablet. The tablets vary in colorand size according to dosage. Thetablets are imprinted with the lettersOC on one side and the number ofmilligrams on the opposite side.

How is OxyContin abused?Who abuses OxyContin?What are the risks?

OxyContin tablets have a controlledrelease feature and are designed to be

swallowed whole. In order to bypass thecontrolled-release feature, abuserseither chew or crush the tablets.Crushed tablets can be snorted ordissolved in water and injected.

Individuals of all ages abuse

OxyContin—data reported in theNational Household Survey on DrugAbuse indicate that nearly 1 millionU.S. residents aged 12 and older usedOxyContin nonmedically at least oncein their lifetime.

OxyContin abuse among high school

students is a particular problem. Fourpercent of high school seniors in theUnited States abused the drug at leastonce in the past year, according to theUniversity of Michigan’s Monitoring theFuture Survey.

Individuals who abuse OxyContin

risk developing tolerance for the drug,meaning they must take increasinglyhigher doses to achieve the sameeffects. Long-term abuse of the drugcan lead to physical dependence andaddiction. Individuals who becomedependent upon or addicted to thedrug may experience withdrawalsymptoms if they cease using the drug.

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Is it illegal to abuse OxyContin? Is it illegal to abuse OxyContin?

Oxy

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Is it illegal to abuse OxyContin?

Yes, abusing OxyContin is

illegal. OxyContin is a Schedule IIsubstance under the ControlledSubstances Act. Schedule II drugs,which include cocaine and methamphetamine, have a high potential for abuse. Abuse of these drugsmay lead to severe psychological orphysical dependence.

Cover photo: courtesy of Roger Kerekes,

Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, PA

NDIC Product No. 2003-L0559-019

Nat

081903

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