Oxycodone

Oxycodone hydrochloride belongs to a group of medicines called opioid analgesics. It is a depressant drug which means it slows down the messages travelling between the brain and the body. Depressant drugs do not necessarily make a person feel depressed. Other depressants include alcohol, cannabis and heroin. Oxycodone is most commonly prescribed by doctors to relieve moderate to severe pain. Some people misuse oxycodone to become intoxicated, which can result in serious side effects.

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Common Names

  • Hillbilly Heroin
  • Oxy
  • OC
  • O

Types of Oxycodone

Oxycodone comes in a number of forms including capsules, tablets, liquid and suppositories. It also comes in a variety of strengths.

How is it used?

Oxycodone is usually swallowed but is sometimes injected or used as a suppository. To prevent tablets being injected by people who misuse them, they were reformulated in 2014. The tablets are now resistant to crushing and become a thick gel when added to water. They also have controlled release properties, even as a gel.

Mixing Oxycodone with Other Drugs

OXYCODONE + ALCOHOL

Increased confusion and clumsiness and breathing difficulties.

OXYCODONE + SOME ANTIDEPRESSANTS

Delirium, convulsions, respiratory failure, coma and death.

Oxycodone Overdose

If you take a large amount of oxycodone, you could overdose. If you have any of the symptoms below, call an ambulance straight away by dialing 999 or 112:

  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Small pupils
  • Decreased awareness or responsiveness
  • Extreme drowsiness and loss of consciousness
  • No muscle tone or movement
  • Slow or irregular heartbeat

Side Effects of
Oxycodone

There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries risk.

The effects of taking Oxycodone with other drugs including over-the-counter or prescribed medications can be unpredictable and dangerous.

Oxycodone affects everyone differently, based on:

  • A person’s size, weight and health
  • Whether the person is used to taking it
  • Whether other drugs are taken around the same time
  • The amount taken
  • The strength of the drug

The effects may include:

  • Pain relief
  • Dizziness or faintness
  • Tiredness
  • Confusion and difficulty concentrating
  • Euphoria or negative mood
  • Restlessness
  • Blurred vision
  • Stiff muscles
  • Constipation
  • Dry mouth
  • Stomach ache and nausea
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Slow pulse
  • Excess sweating, flushing and itching
  • Mild allergic rash or hives (see your doctor promptly)
Injecting oxycodone when misusing the drug may also cause:
  • Vein damage and scarring
  • Infection including tetanus, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS
  • Deep vein thrombosis and clots causing loss of limbs, damage to organs, stroke and possibly death
If injecting there is an increased risk of:
  • Tetanus
  • Infection
  • Vein damage
If sharing needles there is an increased risk of:
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • HIV and AIDS

Long-term effects:

Regular use of oxycodone may cause:
  • Dental problems
  • Swelling in the arms and legs
  • Mood swings
  • Reduced sex drive and decreased level of testosterone (males) and menstrual problems (females)
  • Needing to use more to get the same effect
  • Financial, work or social problems