Percocet, Percodan, Tylox – Oxycodone: Prescription Drug Abuse & Testing

Percocet, Percodan, Tylox – Oxycodone: Prescription Drug Abuse & Testing

Percocet, Tylox & Percodans are the different trade names of Oxycodone products.

Oxycodone is a 14-hydroxydihydrocodeinone, semi-synthetic opioid analgesic that occurs as a white, odorless, crystalline powder having a saline, bitter taste. It is a potentially addictive opioid analgesic medication synthesized from thebaine.

Oxycodone Prescription:

It was first introduced to the US market in May 1939 and is the active ingredient in a number of pain medications commonly prescribed for the relief of moderate to heavy pain. Oxycodone is prescribed for moderate to high pain relief associated with injuries, bursitis, dislocation, fractures, neuralgia, arthritis, and lower back pain. It is also used postoperatively and for pain relief after childbirth. It is a commonly used medication for treatment of pain in cancer patients.

Oxycodone Abuse:

Oxycodone has a high abuse potential as it is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. In the United States, oxycodone is a controlled substance both as a single agent and in combination with products containing acetaminophen (Percocet, Tylox), ibuprofen or aspirin (Percodan). Oxycodone’s action appears to work through stimulating the opioid receptors found in the central nervous system that activate responses ranging from analgesia to respiratory depression to euphoria.

Oxycodone abusers ingest the drug in a variety of ways. They often chew the tablets or crush the tablets and snort the powder. As oxycodone is water soluble, crushed tablets can be dissolved in water and the solution injected.

Effects of Oxycodone Abuse:

Side effects of Oxycodone include constipation, dryness of the mouth, confusion, sedation, light-headedness, respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, headache, & sweating etc while symptoms of overdose include slow breathing, seizures, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness, coma, confusion, cold or clammy skin & small pupils to name a few.

People who take the drug repeatedly can develop a tolerance or resistance to the drug’s effects. Thus, a cancer patient can take a dose of oxycodone on a regular basis that would be fatal in a person never exposed to oxycodone or another opioid. Most individuals who abuse oxycodone seek to gain the euphoric effects, mitigate pain, and avoid withdrawal symptoms associated with oxycodone or heroin abstinence.

Percocet, a narcotic analgesic, is used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. It consists of two drugs—acetaminophen & oxycodone. Acetaminophen is used to reduce both pain and fever. Oxycodone, a narcotic analgesic, is used for its calming effect and for pain. Serious adverse reactions that may be associated with Percocet tablet use include respiratory depression, apnea, respiratory arrest, circulatory depression, and hypertension

Percodan is a potent compound painkiller used to treat moderately severe to severe acute pain. Percodan consists of aspirin & oxycodone, a potent opioid agonist. At one time one of the most widely prescribed painkillers, Percodan has largely been replaced by alternative oxycodone compounds containing acetaminophen (Tylenol) instead of aspirin, such as Percocet.

Federal Regulations:

Like other opioid medications, Tylox, Percodan, Percocet tablets are subject to the Federal Controlled Substances Act. After chronic use, Tylox, Percodan, Percocet tablets should not be discontinued abruptly when it is thought that the patient has become physically dependent on oxycodone.

Oxycodone Testing:

Urine testing for oxycodone may be performed to determine its illicit use and for medical reasons such as evaluation of patients with altered states of consciousness or monitoring efficacy of drug rehabilitation efforts. Based on pharmacokinetic data, the approximate detection duration for a single dose of oxycodone is roughly estimated to be one to two days following drug exposure.

Oxycodone, like other opioids, has been diverted for non- medical use. Careful record-keeping of prescribing information, including quantity, frequency, and renewal requests is strongly advised.

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