OxyContin (AKA Killers, OC, Oxy, Hillbilly heroin, OxyCotton) is the brand name for a drug called (Oxycodone hydrochloride). It is a pain killer that is found in the form of time-release caplets and is intended to be used in cases of sever to moderate pain.

OxyContin is a prescription drug and is supplied in 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg and 80mg doses. It sells on the illegal drug market for up to $100 per pill depending on the dose.

People who misuse OxyContin often chew the tablets, crush the tablets and snort them or crush and dissolve the tablets in water for intravenous injection. When OxyContin is crushed, the time release coating on the pill is destroyed and the drug is very quickly absorbed into the blood stream.

Other pain killers in the opioid family include Morphine, Codeine, Demoral, Percodan and Methadone.

What does it look like? OxyContin is manufactured in several different colors. It is a round pill which contains the letters "OC" on one side of the pill and the dosage on the other side. The color and size of the pill depends on the dosage.

What are the short-term effects?

The most serious risk associated with opioids, including OxyContin, is respiratory depression.

Common opioid side effects include:

• Constipation
• Nausea
• Sedation
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Sweating
• Weakness

What are the long-term effects?

OxyContin is highly addictive and the misuse or abuse of it only makes it that much more addictive. There have been several deaths related to the misuse of OxyContin.

Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Partnership for a Drug Free America