What is Roxicet?
Roxicet is a prescription pain medication that is made with a combination of two other medications: oxycodone and acetaminophen. Roxicet is generally used in tablet form or as an oral solution. The usual dosage consists of 325 mg of acetaminophen and just 5 mg of oxycodone for both the tablet and oral versions. According to guidelines, Roxicet is prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain.
Since Roxicet is a highly addictive substance, it is best to consult a physician before using it in any capacity. Before prescribing Roxicet, physicians should review a patient’s full medical history and be especially mindful of whether that patient has a history of substance abuse. Anyone with a history of respiratory illness should not be prescribed Roxicet.
Also, this drug should never be combined with other central nervous system depressants. Roxicet has a tendency to be extremely habit-forming so it is best used in small doses for short-term treatment. Combining Roxicet with other drugs and especially alcohol can be extremely dangerous.
What Does Roxicet Do?
Roxicet is an effective painkiller because of the way it works on the central nervous system. Upon ingestion, the oxycodone in Roxicet will bind to certain nerve receptors in the central nervous system. This inhibits and lessens the transmission of pain and other feelings.
As oxycodone binds to opioid receptors, it changes the way pain signals are sent from the brain to the body. The acetaminophen in Roxicet acts as an analgesic that reduces the production of chemicals called prostaglandins in the brain. These prostaglandins cause inflammation and swelling. Since Roxicet combats pain in multiple ways, with two active ingredients, it can be very effective.
Roxicet use also produces a dopamine response, which in turn forces the body to crave more and more of the drug. This is what makes Roxicet so addictive. Dopamine is a chemical produced naturally in the brain that is associated with euphoria and pleasure. When you use an opioid, the body overproduces dopamine and the body craves more and more-thus producing an addiction.
Roxicet use also slowly suppresses the respiratory system. This occurs due to oxycodone’s effect on the brain. Forcing the body to slow down its essential systems can have dangerous or even deadly side effects and this is yet another reason why Roxicet use needs to be monitored closely.
The time it takes Roxicet to begin working on the brain varies by dosage size as well as additional chemicals ingested. The size of the person taking Roxicet also plays a role. Most people will begin to feel the effects of a “normal” dose of Roxicet in 20-30 minutes.
Roxicet Use Regulations
Since Roxicet contains oxycodone (an opioid), this drug is considered a controlled substance and is classified as a “Schedule II Drug” by the DEA. Schedule II substances are substances that have acceptable medical uses but also exhibit a higher risk of psychological and physical dependence.
Controlled substances necessitate strict use and prescription guidelines because of their addictive nature. This status also limits the amount of Roxicet that someone can be prescribed and puts guidelines on how Roxicet can be used. The acetaminophen in Roxicet is not part of a controlled substance group, but because Roxicet contains oxycodone, it is still heavily regulated.
The Side Effects of Roxicet Use
Roxicet, like any drug containing an opioid, can produce serious or even deadly side effects. Any medication with opioid ingredients can slow or even stop your breathing and death can occur as a result. Anyone using Roxicet (or any opioid) should seek medical attention immediately if they experience dangerously slow breathing, facial discoloration, or other difficulties.
The acetaminophen in Roxicet can also cause reactions. The most common side effect is skin rash, blisters, or discoloration. Some other side effects of the acetaminophen in Roxicet are stomach issues, light-headedness, and tiredness.
In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. This could occur even if you have taken acetaminophen in the past and had no reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. More serious side effects are more likely in older adults and those who are overweight, malnourished, or debilitated.
The opioids present in Roxicet can have serious long-term effects as well. These can include difficulty getting pregnant, bone density deterioration, central nervous system damage, and more.
Opioid Drug Facts
The United States is currently in the grip of a serious and deadly opioid addiction epidemic that has devastated communities across the country. Despite the risks, drugs containing opioids (like Roxicet) are still prescribed every day. Oxycodone is an extremely addictive substance. Oxycodone is present in Roxicet but it is also used in many other common medications. These drugs, such as Percocet and Roxicodone, treat acute pain after surgery or other extreme or longstanding pain.
The DEA now recommends NOT prescribing oxycodone-based drugs for chronic pain management, but there are sometimes not many options available. If the alternative is constant, debilitating pain, you can see why opioid use still occurs. Responsible doctors and policymakers are currently trying to figure out how to balance the true need for opioid-based pain management with the ongoing epidemic.
Signs of Roxicet Addiction
While many of the signs and symptoms of Roxicet addiction are similar to other addictions, it does have several unique characteristics. The opioids present in Roxicet allow dependency to happen significantly faster than medications without an opioid (like oxycodone).
Since Roxicet contains oxycodone (an opioid drug), addiction to Roxicet is classified as opioid use disorder (OUD). Opioid use disorder is marked by one or more of the following symptoms occurring in a one year period:
- Taking larger amounts of opioids than prescribed or taking opioids over a longer period of time than prescribed
- Persistent desire to use opioids or an inability to stop using opioids
- Regular cravings or a strong desire to use opioids
- Developed tolerance, or the need to increase the number of drugs used to achieve the same effect
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms or using opioids to avoid withdrawal symptoms
- Desire to withdraw from relationships
- Problems fulfilling obligations at work, home, or school
How Long Does Roxicet Stay in Your System?
The active opioid in Roxicet is oxycodone. Since it is one of the most common opioids, it is usually detectable in standard drug tests used by employers, the government, and hospitals. Urine tests are the most commonly administered forms of drug tests. Roxicet may show up in a standard urine test for three to four days or up to a week in extreme cases.
Hair tests are meant to detect drug use for a longer period of time, and thus Roxicet use may show up on a hair test for up to 90 days. This is true for most other commonly used drugs as well.
Blood tests generally have the shortest detection window. A blood test will usually only show the presence of an opioid for 24 to 36 hours.
What Factors Determine How Long Roxicet Stays in Your System?
All of the above estimates are based on standard variables from average patients. There are many factors that may cause these numbers to change. Some of the common factors that can cause variables in Roxicet detection time are as follows:
- Some people have certain enzymes in their liver that could allow them to process substances like Roxicet more efficiently.
- Age is an important factor in how long opioids like Roxicet are detectable. Older people tend to hold onto traces of opioids longer.
- Bodyweight and body fat are both determining factors. The larger someone’s body mass, the longer they will hold a substance.
- Kidney and liver function can determine how long a drug stays in your system. Healthy kidney and liver function will allow the body to process substances faster.
- The speed of our metabolism has a great effect on how quickly our body eliminates toxins and chemicals.
- The more someone uses a substance, the longer it can take to eliminate it from the body.
- Other factors that influence how long Roxicet stays in your system can include hydration and physical activity. Someone who is well-hydrated will eliminate drugs more quickly than someone who isn’t under similar circumstances. Being physically active can also cause drugs to leave the system more quickly.
Roxicet Abuse Treatment at Coastal Detox
Opioid use has skyrocketed in the last decade, but thankfully this has led to increased treatment options and attention toward recovery. Here at Coastal Detox, we are prepared to help with many options at your disposal.
This includes access to various forms of therapy, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and multiple long-term inpatient or outpatient options. A combination of medication (such as methadone or Suboxone) and a therapeutic approach have proven to be successful at combating addiction to opioids such as Roxicet.
Medically-assisted treatment (MAT) involves the administration of detoxifying drugs (such as methadone) paired with professional medical observation. The purpose of medically supervised detoxification is to transition a patient from severe addiction/withdrawal symptoms into treatment. Since opioid withdrawal symptoms can be so severe, the presence of a medical professional (like the professionals at Coastal Detox) during this process can drastically improve results.
At Coastal Detox, we aim to make the detox process as comfortable, safe, and painless as possible. We offer 24-hour assistance during the detox process and our professionally trained staff members are always ready to help.