Oxycodone is an oral opioid that changes how you feel and how your brain and body respond to pain and perceive pain. It's considered a semi-synthetic opioid, and it's moderately potent for the treatment of pain that ranges from moderate to severe. Some of the things oxycodone may be combined with for more effective pain relief include acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories like aspirin and ibuprofen. Medically oxycodone has been used since 1916 for the management of pain, and it's available as a regular tablet and as a controlled-release tablet, which is believed to help reduce the potential for abuse. Oxycodone is intended for the treatment of short-term pain, although it is sometimes used for chronic pain.

The chemical structure of oxycodone is similar to another pain reliever - codeine - and is almost as potent as morphine in its ability to produce opiate-like effects. Oxycodone works on the body through the central nervous system by altering the user's sense of pain and his or her emotional response to pain.16 In other words it attempts to change pain messages being sent to the brain so the user will be relieved of moderate to severe or chronic pain linked to such conditions as cancer and arthritis.

When using oxycodone products, under the care of a physician most users will experience mild side effects. Like many other narcotic medications certain daily activities can be impaired, such as driving and other mental and physical abilities. These side effects are usually mild, but there are more serious complications and negative effects from using products containing oxycodone, particularly when abused.

Side effects of oxycodone products include: breathing irregularity or respiratory depression, increased pressure of cerebral and spinal fluid, headaches, nausea, dizziness, seizures, heart failure, low blood pressure.

Giving up oxycodone after using it for a long time is challenging because the body has to get used to functioning without it. This is why it's important to seek advice from a health professional when planning to stop taking oxycodone, whether you have been taking it with a prescription or not.