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Oxycodone Vs. OxyContin

Oxycodone Vs. OxyContin

Oxycodone is an opiod drug that is the active ingredient in a number of prescription pain relievers including Percocet, Percodan, Tylox and OxyContin. These drugs are commonly prescribed to treat chronic pain primarily in cancer patients and those who have long-term back pain. Additionally, these drugs are also commonly abused.

Oxycodone has been in use for decades in a variety of preparations. It was first synthesized as an alternative to morphine and heroin, both of which caused euphoric effects that led to addiction. Oxycodone also produces a euphoric effect, however, though not as immediate or long lasting. While drugs like Percocet and Percodan were regularly abused for decades, the advent of the OxyContin era in the mid-90s brought on a whole new level of oxycodone abuse.

OxyContin has become a popular recreational drug for a number of reasons. First, OxyContin medication contains a higher dosage of oxycodone than other oxycodone medications and it can create a more powerful “high.” Secondly, dealers can make more of a profit selling OxyContin illegally as compared to other oxycodone medications. Thirdly, OxyContin contains pure oxycodone and is not mixed with other drugs like acetaminophen or aspirin, which can cause other side effects. Finally, thanks to a multi-billion dollar drug marketing campaigns, drugs like OxyContin have a lot of brand awareness. In fact, between 1997 and 2005, drug marketing has increased from $11 billion to $30 billion a year. The high brand awareness makes OxyContin more commonly prescribed and easily available on the black market.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-08-19-painkillers_n.htm

Click here to read the next part in the series, “Oxycodone Addiction Treatment.” Click here to return to the first part in the series, “Introduction to Oxycodone Abuse, Addiction and Treatment.”

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