OxyContin: Uses, indications and notes when using

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OxyContin is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, prolonged pain such as cancer. In addition, OxyContin is also used for many different therapeutic purposes.

1. Uses of OxyContin

OxyContin is an opioid pain reliever, commonly indicated in the treatment of moderate to severe pain. OxyContin works by acting on the brain to change the way the body perceives and responds to pain.
OxyContin is more potent (more than 40 milligrams/tablet), so it should only be used by patients who normally use moderate to large doses of opioid pain relievers. For people who don't regularly take opioids, it can cause an overdose or even death. Do not use OxyContin extended release for mild pain that will clear up in a few days. In addition, this medicine is not for occasional use, or only as needed.

2. How to use OxyContin

OxyContin is available as a slow-release tablet, so it is taken orally. Swallow the tablet whole, do not break or crush, chew, or dissolve the tablet. Because doing so can release all of the drug at once increases the risk of an OxyContin overdose.
Take the medicine on a regular schedule as prescribed by your doctor, do not use it when needed for sudden pain. Use the medicine after each meal. Dosage and duration depend on the patient's condition and response, usually every 12 hours. To reduce the risk of choking or difficulty swallowing tablets, only one tablet should be taken at a time if the patient's dose is more than one. Do not suck, lick, or wet the tablet before putting it in your mouth, make sure to drink enough water with each tablet to swallow it completely.

3. OxyContin side effects

Possible side effects of OxyContin include:
Nausea, vomiting Constipation Dry mouth Asthenia Weakness Sweating Dizziness Dizziness Drowsiness Some side effects are rare but can cause problems. serious conditions such as:
Sleep apnea Mental changes: confusion, agitation, hallucinations Stomach pain Adrenal gland signs: loss of appetite, weight loss, unusual fatigue Allergic reactions: illness In order to prevent some unwanted effects, patients need to eat enough fiber, drink enough water and exercise to fight constipation, even have Laxatives can be used as needed. Besides, to reduce the risk of dizziness, get up slowly when changing positions. In addition, it is important to inform your doctor about any medical history, especially brain disorders (such as head injury, tumors, epilepsy), breathing problems (such as asthma, sleep apnea, lung disease). chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), kidney disease, liver disease, psychiatric disorders (such as confusion, depression), personal or family history of substance use disorders (abuse or addiction of alcohol, drugs or alcohol). ), stomach problems (such as blockage, constipation, infectious diarrhea, paralytic ileus), trouble swallowing, difficulty urinating (such as from an enlarged prostate), diseases of the pancreas, gallbladder , and history of allergies so that the doctor can prescribe the right treatment regimen.

4. Notes when using OxyContin

Some issues to keep in mind when using OxyContin include:
Use the correct medication, in the full dose as prescribed. can cause withdrawal syndrome, especially in people who have used the drug for a long time or in high doses. Avoid taking medication with fruit juices Do not drive, use machines, or do anything that requires alertness until the patient can do it safely: because the medicine can cause dizziness. or sleepy. Do not use alcoholic beverages, stimulants during treatment Do not use drugs for people who do not regularly take opioid drugs. Elderly people need to be careful when using the drug because the elderly are often more sensitive to the side effects of the drug, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, shallow breathing,... Pregnant and lactating women Breastfeeding: the drug should only be used when absolutely necessary because it can harm the fetus, the drug enters the milk ducts and can affect the baby. Also, if you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue taking your next dose at the usual time. Absolutely do not arbitrarily double the dose to catch up.

5. Drug interactions

Some drugs when used with OxyContin can cause drug interactions and change the way the medicine works, increasing the risk of more serious side effects. Therefore, patients need to keep the prescription they are using so that the doctor can give an appropriate treatment plan. Some products that interact with OxyContin include:
Certain types of pain relievers (mixed opioid agonist/antagonist) such as: pentazocine, nalbuphine, butorphanol, naltrexone Other opioid pain relievers or cough suppressants such as: : codeine, hydrocodone

Alcohol Sleeping pills, sedatives: alprazolam, zolpidem, lorazepam Muscle relaxants: carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine Antihistamines: cetirizine, diphenhydramine azole antifungals such as ketoconazole Macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), rifamycins (such as rifabutin, rifampin) Medicines to treat seizures: carbamazepine, phenytoin In addition, OxyContin can cause false test results including amylase and lipase levels. Therefore, it is important to ensure that laboratory technicians and all physicians know the patient is taking this drug.

6. How to store medicine

Store OxyContin at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Keep OxyContin out of the reach of children and family pets. Besides, it is necessary to dispose of unnecessary drugs properly to protect the environment by not flushing the medicine into the toilet or into the wastewater source without instructions. Consult your pharmacist and local waste disposal company.

In summary, OxyContin is an opioid analgesic, commonly indicated in the treatment of moderate to severe pain. During the treatment process may cause some unwanted effects, so when you see unusual signs such as shortness of breath, rash, dizziness, ... it is necessary to immediately notify the medical staff for help. timely intervention.

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Reference source: webmd.com