Oxycontin is the commercial name for a drug that includes a dangerous ingredient known as oxycodone. This component is a strong sedative and it is similar to morphine. When it is used correctly, the medicine has a time release system that extends the discharge for over a period of 12 hours. Nevertheless, this time release system may be circumvented by serious and chewing of the tablet (the drug is administered by tablets only).
The inadequate application produces a big quantity of oxycodone to be liberated from the tablet and this may result in a severe and sometimes lethal overdose of the drug. This medication is normally used by people who suffer terminal cancer to relieve the pain. Just for you to know the effects this drug causes are similar to the effects of heroin.
The abuse of Oxycontin is being every time bigger for reasons like the high opiate dosage that makes it very addictive. When a person becomes addicted to this medicine, that person knows that they can use the same dosage and the effects will be always the same (sedative effect), which is different with drugs like heroin. There is also abuse because it is covered by a lot of health insurances and that is why is much easier to get it.
Some experts say that the increased use of this drug is due to the exaggerated promotion of it. Many people have suffered grave damages for the use of Oxycontin and had even died. If you or someone that you know is one of those, contact your attorney and ask him/her about the possibilities to make a claim against the manufacturer of the drug.