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Oxycontin is a time-release drug. When people talk about this drug they usually neglect this characteristic. Oxycontin is derived from Oxycodone, which is derived from the poppy plant, the same plant Heroin comes from. The poppy plant has strong pain-killing properties, and that is why it is prescribed for patients who need strong pain relief. Actually, Heroin used to be legal around the turn of the century, until the realisation hit that it was highly addictive. Oxycontin is highly addictive as well, but it is still prescribed.

Oxycodone is a short-acting pain reliever, usually around four hours. For chronic pain patients, doctors divide pain relief into categories for prescription treatment. Another words, for round-the-clock pain relief, prescribing a Duragesic patch, which is a transdermyl application usually placed on the skin. should be used. This provides the patient with a method of attacking their pain on a continuous basis. When the patient's pain spikes up, it is called breakthrough pain. Another pain reliever is usually prescribed, and that pain reliever is most often Oxycodone. This is an effective battle plan for conquering pain. As long as the patient follows doctors orders, a relatively pain-free existence can result.

The problem with Oxycontin is it's highly addictive nature. Since there is a difference between Oxycontin and Oxycodone, which is the time element, it can be easier for the patient to become addicted to Oxycontin. Since the doctor is using Oxycontin for 24 hour pain relief, therein lies the problem. As with all medications a tolerance can develop, and it takes more and more of the drug to become effective. If the patient is using Oxycontin for 24 hour pain, what medication is prescribed for the breakthrough pain? There isn't a much stronger pain medication than Oxycontin, except for Fentanyl, which is about a thousand times stronger and is not in pill form. When the medical community talks about Fentanyl, which is the primary medication in the Duragesic patch, they talk in micrograms, that is how powerful it is.

Keep using Oxycontin and you will become addicted. It is not a pretty experience to become addicted to any opiate, as the withdrawal is nightmarish. Also, using opiates illegally and on your own time schedule can result in extreme constipation, sleeplessness, fatigue, headaches, and other bodily maladies not normal for a healthy life. Psychological problems also develop, and drug addicts know this all too well. The cost of these pills on the street is prohibitive, usually eighty dollars per pill. As a result, crime develops when one is addicted to this drug.

So, in summary, although Oxycontin does kill pain effectively, since it is highly addictive more problems for the patient can result. Oxycodone is a far better alternative when used for pain as it is short-acting and should be used for breakthrough pain.

Learn more about this author, Anthony Megna.
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