OXYCODONE BY Cheryl Pearson

What is Oxycodone? A schedule 2 narcotic medication used to relieve moderate to severe pain Semisynthetic opioid manufactured by modifying the chemical Thebaine Thebaine is a derived opioid alkaloid found in opium poppy Similarities to Heroin and Morphine

Forms of Oxycodone Liquid Concentrated liquid TabletCapsule Extended-release tablet Gummy

Other similar opioid drugs OxyContinPercodanPercocet

History Developed in Germany 1916 Introduced to United States in 1928 Passed by FDA in 1976 An analgesic for chronic pain, surgical pain management and cancer pain

How it works in the brain? Mimics the action of natural endorphins by combining with opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord Blocks the transmission of pain signals Pain may remain but less to no pain is felt

Oxycodone in the Brain

Acute Side Effects NauseaVomitingConstipationFatigueEuphoriaAnxiety

Chronic Side Effects ToleranceDependencySwelling Vital signs decline

Withdrawal Effects Fever Muscle Pain Panic Attacks InsomniaNauseaDiarrhea

Reality of Oxycodone Many Americans self medicate Receive from family, friends or work colleagues Pharmacy shopping and overlapping Doctor shopping and overlapping Accidental deaths

Overdose Death rate is higher than Cocaine and Heroin Death rate quadrupled since 1999 Utah ranked in the top 10 states in the U.S. for overdose 550 deaths in the last year was reported for Utah

Naloxone Naloxone (Narcan) is an opioid antagonist Medication that reverses side effects of an overdose Administered via nasal spray or injection “Good Samaritan Law” protects an individual from being prosecuted while under the influence to call for help from emergency responders

Abuse 53 million people will abuse prescription drugs in their lifetime and will start as early as 12 years old Second most abused drug behind Marijuana Crush, snort, inject the drug to receive 12 hour does instantly Combine alcohol or other drugs with prescription opioids

Abuse in the NFL In a 2010 study of retired NFL players, 52% used pain medication while in the league Obtained medication from family, friends, coaches and medical staff 71% misused the opioids in the league 15% continue to misuse opioids Misuse 4X more than general public Many abuse other drugs and alcohol

NFL Misuse Stats

NFL Player Testimonials Kyle Turley – outside physician offered 1,000 pills of Vicodin Dan Johnson – multiple back surgeries take up to 1,000 Vicodin a month

Story of Tom McHale May 2008, Tampa FL Wife, Lisa court order under Marchman Act to send him to rehab Lisa received a call, day before Tom would enter rehab that he overdosed Autopsy showed OxyContin, Alcohol and Cocaine in his system

Prevent Abuse Limit the number of pills received by pharmacist Purdue Pharma added a chemical Remoxy turning pill into a gummy form Purdue Pharma also added Intac to prevent a pill from being crushed or melted

Kicking the Abuse The Affordable Health Care Act requires insurance companies to cover substance abuse Best to use combination of counseling and pharmacotherapy Reduce relapse

Kicking it with Counseling Refocuses abusers mindset Identify correct treatment process Aids in preventing further drug or alcohol abuse

Kicking it with Pharmacotherapy All help minimize withdrawal symptoms Methadone – taken daily at a maintenance center LAAM – taken 3x a week at a maintenance center Buprenorphine and Naltrexone – taken 3x a week, however able to receive a prescription from physician

Gateway Drug Gateway drug to Heroin Derived from same opium poppy plant Prescriptions run dry Heroin is cheaper to purchase on the street

Addiction in Utah

Conclusion Oxycodone extremely addictive and deadly Physicians need to be aware of warning signs of abuse/misuse Abuse awareness needs to be brought to attention of society Prescribed medication does not equal safe medication

Works Cited Diep, Francie. "How Do You Make A Painkiller Addiction-Proof?" Popular Science. N.p., 13 May Web. 15 Feb Dunsmuir, Lindsay, and Maurice Tamman. "One in 10 Americans Have Taken Drugs Prescribed for Others: Poll." | Reuters. Thomson Reuters, 15 Aug Web. 16 Feb Kosten, Thomas R., and Tony P. George. "The Neurobiology of Opioid Dependence: Implications for Treatment." Science & Practice Perspectives. National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1 July Web. 15 Feb Wenner Moyer, Melinda. "Deadly Duo: Mixing Alcohol and Prescription Drugs Can Result in Addiction or Accidental Death." Scientific American Global RSS. Scientific America, a Division of Nature America, Inc., 24 Feb Web. 16 Feb Yang, Z., B. Wilsey, M. Bohm, M. Soulsby, K. Roy, D. Ritley, C. Jones, and J. Melnikow. "Defining Risk for Prescription Opioid Overdose: Pharmacy Shopping and Overlapping Prescriptions among Long-Term Opioid Users in Medicaid." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 10 Feb Web. 17 Feb "Opioids and Chronic Pain | NIH MedlinePlus the Magazine." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr.-May Web. 31 Mar Barr, John, Linda Cottler, and Wilson Compton, Dr. "OTL: Painkiller Misuse Numbs NFL Pain." ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures, 28 Jan Web. 31 Mar