Oxycodone is a prescription drug that acts as a depressant of the central nervous system. It is a narcotic, much like Vicodin and morphine and is used to treat moderate to severe pain like that caused by fractures, arthritis, childbirth and serious diseases like Cancer

Going by such brand names as Percocet, OxyContin, Tylox and Percodan, oxycodone is an opiate that is highly addictive and is being abused by many. When taken repeatedly, one can become tolerant to the drug, therefore requiring higher doses to experience the same effects. Oxycodone is often mistakenly referred to as oxycotton. While OxyContin is a brand name of the drug, oxycotton is just a misspelling of the name. This drug is also referred to as oxy and hillbilly heroin on the street.

Oxycodone Side Effects

Oxycodone is very addictive and is often abused by individuals who begin taking the drug as a part of a prescription but spiral out of control into actually abusing it. As their tolerance increases, they require a higher and higher oxycodone dosage to achieve the same effects, such as euphoria, pain relief and the prevention of withdrawal symptoms.

When taken as prescribed, oxycodone can cause several side effects including constipation, headache, nausea, excessive sweating and dry mouth. An oxycodone overdose can cause severe symptoms including seizures, coma, dizziness, clammy skin and slowed breathing.

Oxycodone Abuse

Abusers of oxycodone may either take it in its original pill form or crush it into a powder to be snorted. The drug can also be melted in water and injected. Because the drug is meant to act as a time-released pain reliever, when crushed or injected oxycodone causes an intense high that involves feelings of euphoria. This is how abusers experience an oxycodone overdose, due to the large amount of the substance being released into their system at once, rather than slowly released over time in the oxycodone pill form.

Signs of Oxycodone Addiction

If a person’s use of oxycodone is radically different from their prescription or doctor’s recommendations, or is taken without a prescription, they may be addicted to the drug. Oxycodone abuse can be seen in those who have developed a dependence on the drug and will continue to take it despite negative consequences. Their bodies go through withdrawal when the intake of the drug is ceased. Withdrawal symptoms are quite obvious and include anxiety, diarrhea, nausea, muscle cramping, especially in the legs, and restlessness.

How To Test For Oxycodone Abuse

There are many different types of drug tests available that detect oxycodone. When searching for one, look for those that test for opiate abuse. Also look for drug tests that test for another opiate, hydrocodone. This substance can be found in drugs such as Vicodin and produces much of the same affects as oxycodone. Drug testing kits come in several types including oxycodone urine tests, saliva tests and hair tests.

Employers, in particular, are often concerned with drug testing and how to go about administering it, yet don’t know where to turn. Liability rests on the shoulders of the employer, making drug abuse of utmost concern. While abusing oxycodone can decrease a person’s ability to make sound judgments and decisions, the abuse of any drug in the workplace can potentially lead to disastrous results. This is why employers often opt to start an employee drug testing program.

Parents, too are worried about drug use in their homes. Teenage drug abuse of substances such as oxycodone is a serious matter. Even the slightest suspicion of teen drug use, and a drug test should be administered.

Orlando, FL (PRWEB) March 12, 2009 — Medical Disposables has announced today the promotion of Jennifer Munoz as new Vice President of Marketing. In her new role Munoz will be responsible for driving and managing all aspects of the company’s marketing efforts in the national and international drug test markets, and to obtain new channels of opportunities for the company sales department. Munoz’s main focus will be develop marketing strategies to expand the company presence and visibility in the lateral flow immunoassay drug testing kits market. She will lineup with the company vertical growth strategies and her high impact marketing programs to continue the expansion and presence in the world for the lateral flow immunoassay onsite drug test and infectious disease test market. Another aspect will be to research and develop the Home Drug Test market which has grown exponentially in the pass years in the U.S. and internationally.

Jennifer Munoz, VP Marketing

Munoz explains, “The most important goal is to have Medical Disposables gain top of the mind awareness for the drug test market with the customer who will associate the high quality drug test products and excellence in customer service with company. Also take charge of all the challenges that daily exist in the drug test global market and have an exceptional ROI for all the projects we put in place. We must strengthen our team approach whereby the company will assist local and international distributors in maximizing opportunities to capture large accounts and governmental clients. Also provide our distributors with additional information regarding effective selling strategies for drug testing kits in the workplace markets as well as a review of current competition, the latest product enhancements, and new variations.”

Jennifer Munoz joined Medical Disposables since June 2006 and has a worked in marketing department implementing an excellent Customer Relationship Management program that has helped increase company customer’s loyalty. Since joining the company Munoz has proven her outstanding ability to create and develop ideas to promote our products to reach more customers. Medical Disposables looks forward to her effectiveness to communicate and implement marketing programs that will help the sales department to achieve their goals in a more successful way to introduce new products and keep strong bonds with the company national and international accounts for drug screens. Prior to Medical Disposables Munoz worked with Colombian Productions in Medellin, Colombia. Her position as Event Logistics and Public Relation Coordinator she implemented programs to improve attendance at local events. Her effective programs with local media and the artists in which concerts benefited from free coverage from the media and the artist boosted his image with free public relation and the effect was more audience attendance.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services drug use in the workplace costs U.S. companies more than $81 billion a year in turnover and lost productivity. The U.S. drug testing market has grown rapidly in recent years and is now valued at more than $1.5 billion annually. Medical Disposables is a privately own Biomedical Technology company who supplies the most advanced line of professional onsite drug tests and infectious disease test to professionals in the United States and worldwide. Medical Disposables high quality lateral flow immunoassay onsite drug testing and infectious disease test kits, produce by FDA approved manufacturer, reduce critical time in the substance abuse market to diagnose and detect the use of drugs, making Medical Disposables one of the leaders of the lateral flow immunoassay onsite drug test market in the United States and internationally. The company’s global distributor’s network targets the workplace, physicians, correctional, clinical, educational and home drug test markets.