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Oxycontin®
Oxycontin®, also known as Oxy, Killer,
Oxycotton, and Hillbilly Heroin, is the trademark of a
form of oxycodone hydrochloride used to treat moderate
to severe pain. It is available in a number of
controlled-release tablets and also in lower-dosage
immediate release capsules. Oxycontin®
abusers typically crush, inject, or inhale the drug,
releasing an uncontrolled dose of the drug into the
body, which produces a short-term high similar to that
of heroin. Used over time, it can produce effects such
as addiction, irritability, and insomnia; withdrawal can
also create short-term effects such as nausea, vomiting,
sweating, and diarrhea. Although it has the potential to
be abused among all demographics, data indicate that the
18-25 year old bracket is the most likely to use
prescription painkillers in a non-medical manner.
Oxtcontin® can be acquired through purchases
on the street (about $1/mg of the drug), and can also be
obtained through doctor shopping and false
prescriptions.
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