How is OxyContin prescribed?

OxyContin is only prescribed by a medical doctor as an opiate medication used to help manage pain. OxyContin dosage may vary according to your exposure to opioids and usually begins low. More on the cost of OxyContin and signs of abuse here.

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OxyContin is one of the most popular prescription pain medications on the U.S. market. OxyContin is available only as a prescription medicine and cannot be obtained over-the-counter. More on how OxyContin is prescribed, OxyContin prescription costs and OxyContin prescription dosage here. We invite your questions about OxyContin prescriptions at the end.

What do doctors prescribe OxyContin for?

OxyContin is a powerful narcotic prescription drug used to help control moderate to severe pain. The main ingredient in OxyContin, oxycodone, works by modifying the way the body and brain perceive pain. Oxycodone interacts with the opioid receptors of the central nervous system and in addition to pain relief, can also cause feelings of euphoria, a feeling of intense well-being. Can you get high OxyContin?  Yes.  This is why OxyContin prescriptions are monitored by doctors – Because OxyContin is good at getting people high, it comes with the risk of OxyContin overdose amount as little as 40 mg at once.

OxyContin prescription dosage

Your OxyContin prescription dosage will vary based on your previous exposure to narcotics. Patients usually start out on 10 mg tablets. However, OxyContin is also available in doses of 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, and 80 mg. The higher doses of OxyContin can only be tolerated by someone with a history of OxyContin use, and could be dangerous or even deadly to someone who hasn’t taken OxyContin before.

OxyContin prescription cost

An OxyContin prescription will vary in cost depending on your insurance coverage. OxyContin can be very expensive – the stronger formulations can run into hundreds of dollars a month. The weaker formulas aren’t as expensive, although it can still be around $100 without insurance. The generic versions of OxyContin tend to be much more affordable, between $20-50 without insurance.

Can you get OxyContin over the counter?

No. OxyContin is available by prescription only. Why? Because OxyContin is addictive, and only prescribed to people experiencing pain which can’t be helped by over-the-counter medication.

Signs of OxyContin prescription drug abuse

If you feel high when you take OxyContin, you can easily become addicted to the oxycodone contained in OxyContin. You should know that OxyContin show up urine test as an opioid, and can be detected by most standard drug screen panels.  An addiction to OxyContin causes a psychological compulsion to seek out the drug, even when drug use has a negative effect on your personal or professional life. However, if you use OxyContin to help manage pain, you can develop a tolerance and dependence on the medication, and be unable to stop taking it abruptly. This type of physical dependence, however, is not the same as an addiction. Signs OxyContin abuse include the use of OxyContin:

  • for the experience or euphoric feelings elicited
  • in a way other than as prescribed (more frequently, higher doses)
  • without a prescription

OxyContin prescription questions

Do you still have questions about OxyContin prescriptions? Please leave them here. We are happy to help answer your questions personally and promptly. If we do not know the answer to your particular question, we will refer you to someone who does.

Reference Sources: Toxnet: Oxycodone
PubMed Health: Oxycodone
DailyMed: OxyContin
NIDA Research Reports: What is prescription drug abuse
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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