How does OxyContin work?

OxyContin is an opiate agonist.  Opiate agonists provide pain relief by acting on opioid receptors in the spinal cord, brain, and body tissues.  OxyContin is a central nervous system depressant. This means that is depresses or slows down bodily functions, such as heart rate and breathing.  

Some street names or slang terms for oxycontin may include 40’s, 80’s, hillbilly heroin, oxy’s, killers, and oxycotton. Individuals that use oxycontin may experience some side effects. These can include constipation, fatigue, nausea, headaches, lightheadedness, anxiety, and more.

Signs of possible Addiction

-  Drug seeking behavior

-  Emergency calls or visits to doctors

-  Repeated loss of prescriptions

-  Tampering with prescriptions

-  Doctor shopping

-  For active users, you may notice withdrawal symptoms

-  Excessive itching

-  Individual is happy for several hours followed by a sudden crash  

Tips for OxyContin Prescription Holders:

Monitor your OxyContin Prescription (supply)

·         Count your pills

·         Keep track of your refills

Secure your OxyContin Prescription

·         Store medication in a secure place that only you are aware of

·         Store medication in a locked cabinet or secured storage box that only you have access to

Disposal your OxyContin Prescription

·         Do not flush medications down the toilet

·         Discard expired or unused prescriptions

·         If possible mix the prescriptions being thrown away with an undesirable substance such as liquid soap to avoid individuals retrieving them from the trash

·        Remove any identifiable information from prescription bottles to protect yourself and family member’s privacy.

The St. Regis Mohawk Health Services Alcohol/Chemical Dependency Prevention Program. Helping Build A Better Tomorrow.