Roxicodone is one of the most commonly prescribed opioid medications for pain management. It contains oxycodone, a highly effective yet addictive drug that interacts with opioid receptors to alleviate pain. Given that this painkiller can lead to dependence, addiction, and overdose, anyone taking it should know not only what Roxicodone is but also what risks it poses.
This article will provide answers to the most common questions on Roxicodone, including:
- What is Roxicodone?
- How does Roxicodone work?
- What is Roxicodone’s addictive potential, and what other risks are associated with it?
What Is Roxicodone, and How Does It Work?
Roxicodone is a brand-name immediate-release formulation of oxycodone that is used to manage moderate-to-severe pain requiring opioid treatment. It comes as a tablet containing 15 mg or 30 mg of oxycodone, a semi-synthetic opioid derived from the opium alkaloid thebaine.
Due to its immediate-release formulation, Roxicodone has a fast onset of action. It starts relieving pain 10–30 minutes after consumption, with analgesic effects reaching their peak within 60 minutes. Although its effects wear off in 3–6 hours, immediate-release oxycodone can stay in your system for roughly 15 hours.
Like all opioid painkillers, Roxicodone blocks pain signals from reaching the brain by binding to opioid receptors located throughout the central nervous system (CNS). Its active ingredient, oxycodone, acts on multiple opioid receptors—mu, kappa, and delta.
Furthermore, Roxicodone stimulates dopamine release, inducing feelings of euphoria and deep relaxation that contribute to its potential for abuse and addiction. Therefore, it’s no surprise that Roxicodone, colloquially known as Roxy, is a very popular street drug.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reveals that oxycodone products, including Roxicodone, were the second most commonly misused type of prescription painkillers between 2016 and 2023 in the United States. During this period, overdoses involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids like oxycodone have claimed the lives of over 100,000 Americans.
As a Schedule II controlled substance, Roxicodone should be taken strictly as prescribed due to the high risk of dependence, abuse, addiction, and overdose.
Now that you know what Roxicodone is, let’s examine its side effect profile.
Roxicodone Side Effects
The typical side effects of Roxicodone include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Itchy skin
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Lightheadedness
According to researchers from Munster Technological University, the most common side effects of oxycodone are nausea, vomiting, and depression.
Furthermore, Roxicodone can cause a range of serious adverse effects, such as difficulty breathing and allergic reactions, that may require immediate medical attention.
A study by Aleksandra Kotlińska-Lemieszek and Zbigniew Żylicz suggests that long-term opioid use, including that of oxycodone products, may have a detrimental effect on the immune, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and other systems. It can also increase the risk of:
- Cancer
- Fractures
- Infections
- Bowel dysfunction
- Potentially fatal opioid overdose
Plus, prolonged opioid use can also cause fertility problems, organ damage, and opioid-induced hyperalgesia, among other adverse effects. This, coupled with the fact that it increases the likelihood of opioid dependence and addiction, explains why long-term use of Roxicodone is not recommended.
If you experience any unwanted effects after taking Roxicodone, including ones not listed above, talk to your doctor, especially if these do not resolve quickly or are getting worse over time.
Now that you’re more familiar with what Roxicodone is and its side effects, it’s time to discuss its risks and dangers.
Risks and Dangers of Using Roxicodone
The main risks and dangers of using Roxicodone include severe adverse effects, opioid dependence, addiction, overdose, and death. Opioid abuse amplifies these risks, which is why you should never:
- Take Roxicodone without a prescription
- Take medication prescribed for someone else
- Use prescription opioids for non-medical purposes
- Mix Roxicodone with other substances without your doctor’s approval
- Take it in larger doses, more frequently, or for a longer time than instructed
- Consume it in a manner other than prescribed (e.g., injecting or snorting crushed tablets)
Carefully following the doctor’s instructions decreases the risk of a life-threatening opioid overdose. Nonetheless, even those who take it exactly as instructed may experience serious side effects or fall victim to physical dependence and opioid addiction, especially with prolonged Roxicodone use.
Therefore, it’s best to explore non-opioid pain management alternatives before starting opioid therapy. If you have to take Roxicodone, limit the dosage and the duration of medication use to a minimum.
Importantly, opioid use during pregnancy poses significant risks to the mother and the baby. It increases the likelihood of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), miscarriage, stillbirth, and maternal death, among other complications. Talk to your doctor to find the best course of action if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby while using Roxicodone.
Is Roxicodone Addictive?
Roxicodone is addictive, as it contains the opioid oxycodone, which has a high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction. It’s worth noting that there’s a difference between opioid dependence and opioid addiction; not everyone dependent on Roxicodone is addicted. However, anyone who takes it for an extended period of time risks becoming dependent.
Repeated opioid exposure alters normal brain function, causing a decrease in endorphin production and an increase in opioid receptors. This leads to tolerance, which is a tell-tale sign of oxycodone dependence. As tolerance grows, larger doses of Roxicodone are needed to achieve the same effects as before.
Oxycodone withdrawal is another sign of dependence. Those dependent on Roxicodone experience uncomfortable physical and mental effects upon discontinuation, such as flu-like symptoms, insomnia, cravings, agitation, and vomiting. Because of this, quitting oxycodone is no easy feat; many continue taking it just to feel normal.
If left untreated, Roxicodone dependence can develop into an addiction, which is predominantly psychological. People addicted to oxycodone feel an overwhelming urge to use this drug, even if it costs them their physical, mental, financial, or social well-being. Worse yet, oxycodone addiction can lead to the use of illicit drugs like heroin.
To achieve lasting success, it is crucial to repair the opioid-induced chemical imbalance in the nervous system, which is the root cause of opioid dependence. However, Roxy addiction treatments do not acknowledge the underlying causes of the problem, let alone address them.
Traditional opioid addiction treatments, such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT), only manage the symptoms—rather than the neurobiological causes—of Roxicodone dependence. Therefore, they do not negate the risk of persistent withdrawal symptoms or relapse.
Can You Overdose on Roxicodone?
You can overdose on Roxicodone if you take a larger dose than your body can safely metabolize.
If you notice profound sedation, pinpoint pupils, slowed breathing, or other drug overdose symptoms in yourself or someone around you, call 911 immediately. Without prompt medical help, an overdose can be fatal.
Keeping track of your opioid intake can reduce the risk of oxycodone overdose. Do not take it in larger amounts or more frequently than prescribed. If you miss a dose, skip it and take the next one as usual. A single extra dose taken by accident can sometimes be enough to cause a life-threatening overdose.
People with a low opioid tolerance may overdose on significantly lower doses than those with a high tolerance. Given that not taking the drug reduces your tolerance, relapse is particularly dangerous; if it happens, even your typical dose could be too much for your body to process.
Quitting Roxicodone without medical supervision considerably increases the risk of relapse, overdose, and death. If you want to get off oxycodone, it’s in your best interest to seek professional help.
Mixing Roxicodone With Other Drugs
Mixing Roxicodone with other drugs, including alcohol, can increase the risk of serious adverse effects, including respiratory depression and overdose. Inform your doctor about any medications and supplements you’re taking before initiating opioid therapy to prevent dangerous drug interactions.
Some examples of drugs that may interact with Roxicodone include:
- Barbiturates
- Other opioids
- Antipsychotics
- Antihistamines
- Muscle relaxers
- Antidepressants
- Benzodiazepines
Never buy Roxicodone on the street or the black market. It may be replaced or laced with other substances, such as fentanyl, meaning you may unknowingly engage in polydrug use, or ingest substances that are more potent, which can have fatal consequences.
ANR Treatment for Opioid Dependence
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is a groundbreaking opioid dependence treatment developed by Dr. Andre Waismann. As the first and only method that addresses the neurobiological causes of opioid dependence, ANR has an exceptionally high success rate and can help you break free from Roxicodone dependence within a matter of days.
ANR treatment re-regulates the endorphin-receptor system, thereby resolving the root cause of opioid dependence and eliminating opioid withdrawal symptoms, including cravings. Once you complete the treatment, you can forget about opioids altogether—ANR doesn’t involve any potentially addictive opioid-replacement drugs, such as Suboxone®.
Most importantly, this approach is scientifically proven to be safe and effective. Since the treatment plan is tailored to each patient individually, it can be safely performed even on those with complex medical conditions, such as heart disease.
Benefits of Undergoing ANR Treatment
Some major benefits of undergoing ANR treatment include:
- Safety. ANR is performed in an ICU setting of fully accredited hospitals with the latest medical equipment, ensuring the highest patient safety standards. Furthermore, it is carried out by a team of highly experienced and compassionate board-certified healthcare professionals.
- Convenience. With ANR, you don’t have to worry about putting your life on hold; most patients return to their daily lives after just a few days. Plus, for your convenience, you can find ANR centers across four continents. No matter which one you choose, rest assured you’ll receive the highest level of care.
- Effectiveness. ANR stands out as the best solution for opioid dependency because it targets the root of opioid dependence instead of merely treating its symptoms. By reversing the damage repeated opioid exposure causes to the nervous system, this treatment negates the risk of ongoing withdrawal symptoms and relapse.
Ready to take back control of your life? Contact us today for a free, 100% confidential consultation.
Key Takeaways
We hope you found this article useful in gaining a deeper understanding of what Roxicodone is, how it works, and what Roxicodone is used for. Although it can effectively control pain, remember to weigh the risks and rewards before starting opioid therapy.
Let’s go over the key points we covered today:
- Roxicodone is a prescription opioid that comes as a tablet with 15 mg or 30 mg of oxycodone.
- Roxicodone is prescribed for pain management, but its ability to produce intense euphoria and relaxation significantly increases the risk of misuse and addiction.
- ANR is a state-of-the-art treatment that addresses the root of opioid dependence by reversing opioid-induced changes in brain chemistry, thereby facilitating lasting recovery.
What Is Roxicodone FAQ
Roxicodone is prescribed for moderate-to-severe pain relief. For example, it may be used to manage pain experienced after an injury or surgery. Like other opioids, it is only prescribed when milder analgesics cannot be used or aren’t effective.
Roxicodone addiction usually develops as a result of untreated opioid dependence. Long-term use of Roxicodone and especially abuse (e.g., taking it in higher doses or more frequently than prescribed) significantly increases the risk of oxycodone addiction. Therefore, you should always take this drug as prescribed.
ANR is different from other opioid dependency treatments because it addresses the root cause of the problem. The ANR treatment method is innovative, as it eradicates opioid dependence by restoring the central nervous system to a pre-dependence state. As such, it eliminates opioid withdrawal symptoms, setting you free from the fear of relapse.
The first step to take if someone is struggling with Roxicodone addiction is to seek professional help. At ANR Clinic, we have guided close to 25,000 people worldwide in achieving long-lasting recovery from opioid dependence. To find out how ANR can help you or your loved one, reach out to us at [email protected] or call us at +1 (813) 213-4807.
