OxyContin is a widely used and misused prescription painkiller. It contains the opioid oxycodone as its active ingredient. The medication is known to trigger physical dependence and full-blown addiction. But even if you never become addicted, you can develop some serious medication side effects. Some of these effects are mild. Others are serious and can lead to severe or life-threatening health problems. In such cases, it may be necessary to enroll in a professional treatment program. An OxyContin addiction treatment program will help you recover from these issues.
Possible Side Effects of OxyContin Use If You Follow Your Prescription
Even when you follow your prescription, OxyContin use can have side effects. Examples of common milder effects include headaches, a dry mouth, and unusual drowsiness. They also include skin flushing or redness, changes in your normal mood, and pain in your stomach. All of these effects can take a more severe form. If this happens, talk to your doctor.
Certain OxyContin side effects should always be followed by a call to your doctor. Examples of these more significant and dangerous effects include:
- Pain in your chest
- An agitated mental state
- Itching with or without a rash
- Nausea and vomiting
- Alterations in your normal heartbeat
- Hallucinations
- Facial, tongue, eye, or throat swelling, as well as swelling in your hands or lower extremities
Seizures, breathing problems, and extreme sleepiness may also occur. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
OxyContin Abuse and Overdose
You can abuse or misuse an OxyContin prescription by increasing your dosage size on your own. The same situation occurs if you decide to shorten the time between doses. Several other forms of abuse are also possible. For example, you may try to crush your medication to speed up its drug effects. Purely recreational use also qualifies as medication abuse. You also abuse OxyContin if you get it through someone else’s prescription or buy it illegally.
All forms of abuse increase the odds that you will experience an OxyContin overdose. Overdoses occur when you have more of the medication in your system than your body can process. Potential signs of an OxyContin overdose include:
- Labored or slow breathing
- Skin that feels clammy and cold
- Wider or narrower pupils than normal
- Extreme sleepiness
- Unusually weak or limp muscles
- Complete cessation of all breathing
- Unresponsive unconsciousness, i.e., a coma
An overdose is a life-threatening emergency situation. Seek help immediately if you experience one or notice telltale signs in someone else.
OxyContin Abuse and Addiction
Addiction is always a potential side effect of OxyContin abuse. As a rule, people affected by addiction have three overlapping problems. First, they are physically dependent on the medication. Psychological dependence also occurs. Finally, affected people typically start compulsively seeking out more OxyContin to take. This involuntary behavior is a clear indicator that you have become addicted.
Opioid treatment is needed by anyone addicted to OxyContin. Modern treatment includes medication, as well as therapy. Together, these two options form medication-assisted treatment or MAT. An effective MAT plan supports your ongoing recovery.
Seek Help for The Side Effects of OxyContin Use at Northpoint Colorado
Are you concerned that you or your loved one have become addicted to OxyContin? Turn to the treatment experts at Northpoint Colorado. We feature a dedicated OxyContin addiction program. This program will help you safely halt your medication abuse. It will also help you develop a durable pattern of long-term sobriety.
Northpoint offers a range of settings for your recovery. You may need the 24/7 help provided by inpatient treatment. Our services also include multiple outpatient options. Call us today at 970.579.4569 for more information about our available plans. You can also reach us through our online message form.