Oxycodone Side Effects

Most people have come to expect that their prescription medication will carry some potential side effects. Oxycodone is no different. It belongs to a class of drugs called opioids, prized for their pain-fighting abilities but feared for potential complications. In addition to more mild side effects, opioids including oxycodone can cause physical dependence, psychological dependence and addiction. In addition, it's considered to be a drug of abuse and can lead to a fatal overdose if misused.

For most people, the onset of mild side effects is short-lived. Once a person has become accustomed to having oxycodone in his or her body, many of the side effects will dissipate. These more common symptoms vary from person to person and can depend on the dosage being taken. A person who is already tolerant of opioids may not experience symptoms at all. They can include:

• Constipation
  
• Flu-like symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea
  
• Vomiting
  
• Headache
  
• Dry mouth
  
• Dizziness
  
• Sweating
  
• Fatigue
  
• Weakness
  
• Sleeplessness

A Small Percentage Of Patients May Experience Other Problems

Some of the less common side effects include: nervousness, insomnia, fever, confusion, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash, anxiety, euphoria, chills, twitching, gastritis, abnormal dreams, changes in the thought process and hiccups. A small percentage of people may also experience one or more of the following: tinnitus, palpitations, vision changes, chest pain, edema, thirst, dehydration, neck pain, dry skin, depression, agitation and hallucinations.

Severe side effects can develop in some people and should be treated immediately. These can include an allergic reaction, which includes symptoms of rash, hives, itching, difficult breathing, tightness in the chest and swelling in areas of the mouth, face, lips and tongue. Others include confusion, irregular heartbeat, seizures, difficult urinating, lightheadedness, fainting, labored breathing, vision changes or tremors.

Oxycodone is marketed under names including OxyContin and Percocet. It is sometimes combined with non-narcotic pain relievers such as acetaminophen and aspirin to boost its effectiveness. Percocet, for example, is a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen. The acetaminophen component can also cause side effects for some people. This ingredient, when taken in high concentrations, can cause liver damage. So people taking acetaminophen in any form are urged to use caution.

Opioid Dependence and Addiction Are Problems That May Require Treatment

Taking oxycodone for a prolonged period can lead to a tolerance, which causes the need for increasingly higher doses to achieve the same effect. People on long-term therapy will likely develop a physical dependence. People who misuse or abuse the drug may become quickly addicted to it. Oxycodone detox can help patients to recover from this devastating problem.