Oxycotton / Oxy Cotton (OxyContin)

If someone you know is suffering with an OxyContin addiction or withdrawal and you would like to take the first steps in getting them the help that they need, you may visit our Interventionist or you may tell us a bit about your situation or ask us a question.
 

contin. Opioids, natural or synthetic classes of drugs that act like morphine, are the most effective pain relievers available. Oxycodone is manufactured by modifying thebaine, an alkaloid found in opium. Oxycodone has a high abuse potential and is prescribed for moderate to high pain relief associated with injuries, bursitis, dislocation, fractures, neuralgia, arthritis, and lower back and cancer pain. It is also used postoperatively and for pain relief after childbirth. Percocet, Percodan, and Tylox are other trade name oxycodone products.

Oxycodone is a central nervous system depressant. Oxycodone's action appears to work through stimulating the opioid receptors found in the central nervous system that activate responses ranging from analgesia to respiratory depression to euphoria. People who take the drug repeatedly can develop a tolerance or resistance to the drug's effects. Thus, a cancer patient can take a dose of oxycodone on a regular basis that would be fatal in a person never exposed to oxycodone or another opioid. Most individuals who abuse oxycodone seek to gain the euphoric effects, mitigate pain, and avoid withdrawal symptoms associated with oxycodone or heroin abstinence.

Oxy Cotton / OxyCotton (OxyContin) is an oral, controlled-release oxycodone that acts for 12 hours, making it the longest lasting oxycodone on the market. Patients taking shorter acting oxycodone products, such as Percocet, may need to take the product every 4 to 6 hours. While drug doses vary by individual, the typical OxyContin dose prescribed by physicians ranges from two to four tablets per day. OxyContin was developed and patented in 1996 by Purdue Pharma L.P. and was originally available in 10 milligram (mg), 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg tablets. A 160 mg tablet became available in July 2000. By comparison, Percocet and Tylox contain 5 mg of oxycodone and Percodan-Demi contains just 2.25 mg. The strength, duration, and known dosage of OxyContin are the primary reasons the drug is attractive to both abusers and legitimate users.

Diversion and abuse of the prescription pain reliever Oxy Cotton / OxyCotton (OxyContin) is a major problem, particularly in the eastern United States. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that, in the United States, oxycodone products, including OxyContin, are frequently abused pharmaceuticals. The pharmacological effects of OxyContin make it a suitable substitute for heroin; therefore, it is attractive to the same abuser population. Law enforcement reports indicate heroin abusers are obtaining OxyContin because the pharmaceutical drug offers reliable strength and dosage levels. In addition, if the abusers' health insurance covers an illness that the drug treats, the insurance provider may cover the cost of the drug. Conversely, OxyContin abusers who have never used heroin may be attracted to the lower priced heroin when their health insurance no longer pays for OxyContin prescriptions or when they cannot afford the high street-level price of OxyContin. For example the West Virginia, Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug Task Force reports that a local couple, recently sentenced for conspiracy to sell heroin, turned to heroin after their doctor refused to continue prescribing OxyContin and they could not afford the street price of the pharmaceutical. OxyContin abusers sometimes commit theft, armed robbery, and fraud to sustain their habits.

The general public is by now familiar with the dangers and potential for abuse posed by the extended release drug oxycodone hydrochloride ER, which until recently was only available by the brand name OxyContin . In March 2004, however, a generic version of OxyContin became available by prescription as an approved pain medication. Soon after its release in the pharmaceutical market, “generic OxyContin ” entered the illegal drug market as well. When abused, this drug represents an old threat in a new form – it has the same dangerous effects as OxyContin when abused, but it looks different.

Many people remain unaware of this threat – poison control centers across the country have received a significant number of calls from citizens asking about this drug. Parents and teachers should familiarize themselves with this new product and be on alert for signs of its abuse. It is important to realize that the generic version may pose more of a threat because it is only available in 80 mg. doses, whereas OxyContin is available in 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg. doses. Users may mistakenly believe that they are consuming a smaller dose than they actually are, increasing the potential for serious overdose or even death. Below are more important facts about the generic form of OxyContin.

What are the negative effects of oxycodone abuse?

• Long-term usage can lead to physical dependence.
• A large dosage can cause severe respiratory depression that can lead to death.
• Withdrawal symptoms include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, cold flashes with goose bumps, and involuntary leg movements.

How Dangerous is Oxy Cotton / OxyCotton (OxyContin)?

Several deaths have resulted specifically from the abuse of OxyContin in Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Pike County, Kentucky, Coroner reported 19 OxyContin-related deaths during calendar year 2000. In December 2000, seven OxyContin overdose deaths were reported in Southeastern Kentucky by two Kentucky State Police posts. The Logan Daily Newsreported in October 2000 that four Hocking County, Ohio, residents overdosed on OxyContin over an 18-day period. Two of the four died. There have been at least four OxyContin overdose deaths in Pulaski, Virginia, since 1998. In July 2000, The Williamson Dailyreported five OxyContin-related overdose deaths in southwestern West Virginia since May 2000.

How is OxyContin being used?

Oxy Cotton / Oxycotton (OxyContin) is designed to be swallowed whole; however, abusers ingest the drug in a variety of ways. OxyContin abusers often chew the tablets or crush the tablets and snort the powder. Because oxycodone is water soluble, crushed tablets can be dissolved in water and the solution injected. The latter two methods lead to the rapid release and absorption of oxycodone. The alcohol and drug treatment staff at the Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, Prestonsburg, Kentucky, reports individuals who have never injected drugs are using OxyContin intravenously and they have never seen a drug "proliferate like OxyContin has since May 2000." The staff at this center has over 90 cumulative years' experience conducting drug evaluations.
OxyContin and heroin have similar effects; therefore, both drugs are attractive to the same abuser population. OxyContin is sometimes referred to as "poor man's heroin," despite the high price it commands at the street level. A 40 mg tablet of OxyContin by prescription costs approximately $4 or $400 for a 100-tablet bottle in a retail pharmacy. Street prices vary depending on geographic location, but generally OxyContin sells for between 50 cents and $1 per milligram. Thus, the same 100-tablet bottle purchased for $400 at a retail pharmacy can sell for $2,000 to $4,000 illegally.

Strength	Licit Retail	Illicit Retail
	Price per tablet	Price per tablet
10 mg	$1.25	$5 to $10
20 mg	$2.30	$10 to $20
40 mg	$4.00	$25 to $40
80 mg	$6.00	$65 to $80
160 mg	$14.00	unknown

 Source: Cincinnati Police Department Pharmaceutical Diversion Squad, November 2000
 
Sentencing and Legislation

Oxycodone, including Oxy Cotton / OxyCotton (OxyContin), are Schedule II drugs under the Federal Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act. Federal sentencing guidelines for diverted Schedule II pharmaceuticals are determined by the total weight of the tablets, not strength. Similar drugs of lower strength like Percocet and Tylox may weigh more than OxyContin, thus distributing the same quantities may result in stiffer penalties than for distributing OxyContin.
The above information was taken directly from www.justice.gov

If someone you know is suffering with an OxyContin addiction or withdrawal and you would like to take the first steps in getting them the help that they need, you may visit our Interventionist or you may tell us a bit about your situation or ask us a question. Or call us 24/ at 1-810-625-7500.