holli1122...
Bloating is certainly a possible side effect of
many medications. The information I located on
oxycontin states that urinary retention
(which might account for some bloating), occurs
in less than 1% of persons taking oxycontin.
The more common side effects (experienced by 5%
or more of the persons taking oxycontin) are:
Constipation, Nausea, Somnolence (sleepiness),
Dizziness,Pruritus (itching), Vomiting, Headache,
Dry Mouth, Asthenia (weakness), and Sweating.
A full description of this drug is available here:
http://www.oxycontin-addiction-help.com/pages/fda.html
This page notes, in addition to the above, that
"Oxycodone causes a reduction in motility associated
with an increase in smooth muscle tone in the antrum
of the stomach and duodenum. Digestion of food in
the small intestine is delayed and propulsive
contractions are decreased. Propulsive peristaltic
waves in the colon are decreased, while tone may be
increased to the point of spasm resulting in
constipation. Other opioid-induced effects may
include a reduction in gastric, biliary and
pancreatic secretions, spasm of sphincter of Oddi,
and transient elevations in serum amylase."
In layman's terms, this would seem to suggest a
decrease in digestive function, which could
account for feeling bloated.
The homepage for this site:
http://www.oxycontin-addiction-help.com/
provides a 1-800 number, offering legal
assistance, and notes that:
"OxyContin, marketed by Purdue Pharma L.P., has
been linked to addiction, suffering and death of
patients using this prescription painkiller.
Addiction and abuse of the drug, crime and fatal
overdoses have all been reported as a result of
OxyContin use."
This page:
http://www.oxycontin-addiction-help.com/pages/facts.html
notes:
"OxyContin is the brand name for the time-release
tablet form of oxycondon, an opium derivative
similar to codeine but more powerful and more
likely to be addictive."
"Oxycondone is an ingredient in the prescription
drugs, Percocet, Percodan and Tylox, in much
weaker strengths than OxyContin. Oxycondone has
been around for decades and taken by millions of
people for post surgical pain, broken bones,
arthritis, migraines and back pain.
While Percocet and Percodan have about five
milligrams of oxycondone, OxyContin tablets
contain oxycontin in amounts of 10,20, 40 and
80 milligrams."
The site goes on to stress that oxycontin is
a time-release formulation, meant to be
swallowed whole, whereas, if chewed,
intentionally or accidentally:
"OxyContin is highly addictive and gives a
heroin-like rush which is released when pills
are crushed or chewed. Many pain patients
become dependent on the drug for more than
pain relief and find themselves with a full
scale addition that has led to severe and
damaging consequences."
"Purdue Pharma is facing more than a dozen
lawsuits from patients, claiming they have
become addicted to the painkiller, and others
blaming the company for abusers' overdoses
and deaths because of the company's failure
to distribute adequate warnings."
When you said "I had to increase my dose
due to being on it so long", I only hope
you did so under the guidance of your
prescriber.
This page, about the potential for addiction:
http://www.oxycontin-addiction-help.com/pages/addiction.html
states:
1. Always follow medication directions carefully.
2. Don't increase or decrease doses without
talking with your doctor.
3. Don't stop taking medication on your own.
4. Don't crush or break pills.
5. Be clear about the drug's effects on driving
and other daily tasks.
6. Learn about the drug's potential interactions
with alcohol, other prescription medicines, and
over-the-counter medicines.
7. Inform your doctor about your past history of
substance abuse.
8. Don't use other people's prescription
medications and don't share yours.
The FDA warning page:
http://www.oxycontin-addiction-help.com/pages/fda.html
emphasizes:
"OxyContin (oxycodone hydrochloride controlled-release)
TABLETS ARE TO BE SWALLOWED WHOLE, AND ARE NOT TO BE
BROKEN, CHEWED OR CRUSHED. TAKING BROKEN, CHEWED OR
CRUSHED OxyContin TABLETS COULD LEAD TO THE RAPID
RELEASE AND ABSORPTION OF A POTENTIALLY TOXIC DOSE
OF OXYCODONE."
It also notes:
"Cessation of Therapy"
"When the patient no longer requires therapy with
OxyContin tablets, patients receiving doses of
20-60 mg/day can usually have the therapy stopped
abruptly without incident. However, higher doses
should be tapered over several days to prevent
signs and symptoms of withdrawal in the physically
dependent patient. The daily dose should be reduced
by approximately 50% for the first two days and
then reduced by 25% every two days thereafter
until the total dose reaches the dose recommended
for opioid naive patients (10 or 20 mg q12h).
Therapy can then be discontinued.
If signs of withdrawal appear, tapering should
be stopped. The dose should be slightly increased
until the signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal
disappear. Tapering should then begin again but
with longer periods of time between each dose
reduction."
In other words, going to your pain specialist
is absolutely necessary in order to monitor
and prevent withdrawal symptoms, and to
suggest workable alternatives to oxycontin.
Searches made, via Google:
oxycontin + "side effects"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=oxycontin+%2B+%22side+effects%22
If you need further information, please
feel free request a clarification of this
answer before rating it.
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