Are you suffering from moderate to severe pain, such as the result of a surgery? If so, your doctor may prescribe the painkiller oxycodone. While this drug has been used for many years to help control pain, it can be very addictive.
Many patients begin using oxycodone as prescribed by their doctor, but are unable to stop doing so when the time comes. Others, however, experiment with this drug because of the way it makes them feel.
Regardless of what led to your oxycodone addiction, nothing changes the fact that you want to receive the appropriate treatment without delay.
Here are 10 oxycodone side effects to look out for. Some of these are mild, but others can be considered much more serious, often times leading to complex medical concerns.
- Change in consciousness
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Decreased awareness of what is going on around you
- Extreme drowsiness
- No muscle movement
- Severe sleepiness
- Irregular or slow heartbeat
- Euphoric state of mind
- Seizure
- Cold, clammy skin
As you can see, the side effects of oxycodone can have a major impact on both your physical and mental well being. You are likely to experience some side effects every time you take oxycodone, however, others may only come into play after you have consumed a large dose.
When to Seek Medical Attention
No matter if you are taking oxycodone as prescribed by your doctor or because you are addicted, there are some side effects that are normal and others that require immediate medical attention. Here are several that require immediate care:
- Seizure
- Confusion
- Shallow breathing
- Slow heartbeat
- Severe weakness or dizziness
- The feeling that you are going to pass out
Some of the less severe side effects of oxycodone are as follows:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Flushing
- Itching
- Sweating
- Mood changes
- Headache
With so many potential side effects, it is easy to see why oxycodone should only be taken as prescribed by a medical professional. Overdosing on this substance can lead to serious health concerns, some of which can have both short and long term effects on your body.
Those who are taking oxycodone under the watchful eye of a medical professional will be presented with a list of side effects they may experience. On the other hand, people who abuse this drug on their own may not know what to expect.
Anytime you take oxycodone, regardless of the dosage, you may experience one or more of the side effects above. The 10 most serious are the ones that you should be most concerned with.