Author: James Anderson

Oxycodone: Uses, Side Effects, Dosages, Precautions

These factors can include the use of other medicines, as well as chronic use of OxyContin. Oxycodone is a powerful opiate, and overdosing on it can be lethal. Data shows that prescribed opiates cause more than 40% of all overdose deaths. If someone has overdosed on OxyContin, treatment for opioid abuse and addiction may be recommended. One of the most common signs of oxycodone abuse is changes in mood or behavior. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that taking more than morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per day can increase the risk of overdose.

Taking OxyContin in any way other than prescribed carries a risk of overdose. With the quick administration of naloxone (Narcan), an OxyContin overdose can be reversed. Join 40,000+ People Who Receive Our Newsletter Get valuable resources on addiction, recovery, wellness, and our treatments delivered directly to your inbox. Avoid grapefruit products and drinking alcohol or taking illegal or recreational drugs while taking oxycodone. The recommendation is that you take the medication as soon as you remember, and try to return to your normal schedule of doses as soon as possible.

This Oxycodone overdose death information points to the importance of proper awareness and education on not just opioids in general but prescription opioids in particular. Oxycodone is a generic opioid added to prescription medications that help control severe pain in people who have serious health conditions, such as cancer. While it is very effective for this purpose, the substance is highly addictive, which can prompt people to use more of it than they are supposed to. While it can be an effective treatment for this purpose, misuse of oxycodone can be dangerous and may result in oxycodone overdose. Understanding the signs of an oxycodone overdose may save a person’s life.

Side Effects

Calls to our general hotline may be answered by private treatment providers. We may be paid a fee for marketing or advertising by organizations that can assist with treating people with substance use disorders. For those who had only abstained for a short period, the risk is much lower. However, those who had abstained for months will have had their tolerance return to normal. If they then attempt to abuse their usual dose, it may result in an Oxycodone overdose.

Our addiction treatment specialists are here to assist you in verifying your insurance coverage. Information from some studies has shown that over 50 MME per day will at least double the risk of an OD compared to daily doses of less than 20 MME. With Oxycodone, 50 MME is equivalent to 33 mg of the drug, which can be roughly acquired with two Oxycodone 15mg tabs. You nor your loved one are under any obligation to commit to an Ark Behavioral Health treatment program when calling our helpline. Addiction Resource aims to provide only the most current, accurate information in regards to addiction and addiction treatment, which means we only reference the most credible sources available. For example, if they have been in a serious accident or have undergone surgery, they may need it for pain relief.

Signs of Oxycodone Overdose

The most common cause of an oxycodone overdose is taking too much of the drug at once. Mixing amphetamines with oxycodone is also problematic because they may mask some of the effects of the opioid, which can cause an addicted individual to take even more of the substance. Other illicit drugs, such as heroin, can cause a person to overdose if they are taken at the same time as the medication. Injecting or snorting oxycodone that has been crushed up can contribute to an overdose, too, because a large amount of the medication will hit the bloodstream all at once. The only way that hospitals can keep an addicted individual alive after they overdose is by putting them on a ventilator until the oxycodone is out of their system. If they survive, they will often have lung damage that makes them develop pneumonia and other serious lung disorders.

1. It is difficult to predict the behavior of a person who is suffering from an addiction because they often become so adept at hiding their substance abuse issues from others.
2. Oxycodone, the active ingredient found in narcotics like OxyContin and Percocet, is a powerful prescription opioid.
3. However, those who had abstained for months will have had their tolerance return to normal.
4. Oxycodone is one of the most common prescription opioids involved in fatal opioid overdoses.
5. However, there are some legitimate reasons why someone might take oxycodone.

If you or anyone you know is undergoing a severe health crisis, call a doctor or 911 immediately. For patients who may not have direct access to addiction centers, they should contact their medical doctor, who may be able to put them in contact with other addiction services and resources. Simultaneously, those that abuse the medication are the most likely group of individuals to suddenly elevate the dosage they take, which can predispose significantly to an overdose. It is a very dangerous practice, which will more likely lead to overdose and more severe side effects of OxyContin.

Why Does an Oxycodone Overdose Occur?

It describes the dosage of morphine in milligrams that would be required to produce an equal effect to another opioid. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact at We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Respiratory depression is a breathing condition characterized by slow, shallow, or difficult breathing. Because it can be addictive, oxycodone is usually only prescribed for short-term use.

This typically means reductions of 25% to 50% of dosage every two to four days, alongside careful monitoring. Dr. Roger Weiss is a practicing mental health specialist at the hospital. Dr. Weiss combines his clinical practice and medical writing career since 2009.

What Is A Lethal Dose Of Oxycodone (OxyContin)?

It is important for friends and family members of individuals who are addicted to this medication to learn about signs of oxycodone overdose. Overdose on opioids is quite common, particularly with prescription opioid drugs. In 2019 alone, there were 70,630 deaths related to drug overdose recorded in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In that same year, over 14,000 deaths were linked to prescription opioid use.