 OxyContin is a drug that contains oxycodone hydrochloride.  It is prescribed to treat people who have chronic pain.  OxyContin is a Schedule II controlled substance and an agonist opioid.

 OxyContin was first marketed in 1996 by Purdue Pharma L.P.  It was the first tablet to give a full 12 hours of pain relief.  It was originally made in 10, 20 and 40 milligram tablets until the 80 mg & 160 mg tablets were introduced by  In 2000, prescriptions for OxyContin rose to 5.8 million.

 OC's  Ox  Oxy  Blue  Hillbilly heroin  Oxycotton

Tablets are available in:  10 mg  15 mg  20 mg  30 mg  40 mg  60 mg  80 mg  160 mg (not available in the US)

 The body develops a tolerance and produces cravings which impact the user's central nervous system.  The subconscious memory of using the drug triggers the user to find more OxyContin to use.

Street prices  $5 to $10 for a 10-mg tablet  $80 or more for an 80- mg tablet  a bottle of 40-mg pills can cost almost $2000 Pharmacy prices  $4 to $8 for a 10-mg tablet  $6 for an 80-mg tablet  an OxyContin prescription costs about $100

 Constipation  Dizziness  Drowsiness  Dry mouth  Nausea  Headache  Sweating  Vomiting  Weakness  Severe allergic reactions  Abnormal snoring  Confusion  Fainting  Irregular heartbeat  Hallucinations  Mental or mood changes  Seizures  Severe stomach pain  Tremors

1% to 5% of users reported:  Gastritis  Anorexia  Dyspnea  Rashes  Tinnitus  Abnormal vision  Chest pain  Amnesia  Depression  Hallucinations  Hematuria  Voice alteration  Dry skin  Speech disorders  Vertigo

 Because OxyContin tablets are designed with a controlled-release feature, users chew them or crush them.  When crushed, they can be snorted or dissolved in water and injected.

 Abusers of large doses are at risk for severe respiratory depression which can cause death.  Users who inject OxyContin are at risk of contracting HIV, Hepatitis B and C, as well as other blood-borne viruses.

 People who have gone through withdrawal from OxyContin have compared it to heroin withdrawal.  This kind of opiate embeds itself deeper into the organ tissue which causes a longer side effect of the body & mind.

 Hot & cold sweats  Heart palpitations  Joint & muscle pain  Vomiting  Nausea  Uncontrollable coughing  Diarrhea  Insomnia  Depression  Coma  Even death can occur

 The CDC reported that nearly 40 Americans die every day from overdoses on painkillers such as Vicodin and OxyContin.  This results in about 15,000 deaths a year to overdoses on prescription drugs.  Studies also show that most OxyContin deaths may be suicides from depression.

 Addicts of OxyContin usually start out taking the drug for an injury.  9 out of 10 dealers don't have jobs because their income is enough.  Most dealers don't have to buy OxyContin to sell because their insurance pays for it or the state pays it for 'medical reasons'.

 According to the University of Michigan, about 4% of high school seniors in 2005 were abusing OxyContin for non-medical reasons.  By 2008, it was reported that one in twenty high school seniors have tried OxyContin.

 High school student Ryan paid for his OxyContin addiction by cashing in the $7000 in his savings account as well as selling his PlayStation, leather jackets, and his cell phone.  Katie, who is 18, stole $5000 from her parents over 2 months, writing checks in their name and stealing their ATM card. Katie and her friends stole jewelry and cameras from her house as well.

 Many OxyContin addicts switch to using heroin instead because it's less expensive.  An OxyContin addiction can cost almost $50,000 or more a year to maintain, while in many places, a heroin addiction can cost only $3,600 a year.

 In Utah, if you are caught with possession of a Schedule II substance (such as OxyContin), it's considered a third degree felony and you can spend up to 5 years in jail with at least $5,000 in fines.  Dealers that are caught with 14 to 28 grams of oxycodone or OxyContin can recieve up to 15 years in prison.

 In many places, prosecuting attorneys are holding the sellers of drugs responsible for the overdose deaths of the users.  This means that if a person dies from an OxyContin overdose, the authorities can trace the drugs to the seller and the seller can be convicted with second-degree murder or involuntary manslaughter.

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