Mechanism of Oxycontin

The chemical structure of oxycodone is the methylether of oxymorphone: 3-Methyl-oxymorphone. OxyContin is an opiate agonist and these opiate agonists provide pain relief by acting on opioid receptors in the spinal cord, brain, and possibly in the tissues directly. Opioids, natural or synthetic classes of drugs that act like morphine, are the most effective pain relievers available today. Oxycodone is a central nervous system depressant. This means that it acts by stimulating the opioid receptors found in the central nervous system that activate responses ranging from analgesia-pain relief to respiratory depression to euphoria. The trouble is that people who take the drug repeatedly can develop a tolerance or resistance to the drug's effects, but overdose of oxycodone could be fatal in a person never exposed to oxycodone or another opioid. Good thing about it is that most individuals who are prescribed OxyContin will not become addicted, although they may become dependent on the drug and will experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using it.