Patient was educated on Oxycontin and its mechanism of action as follows:
- Oxycontin is an opioid pain medication that contains oxycodone.
- Oxycodone is derived from Thebaine, which is an opioid alkaloid like Morphine and Codeine.
- Oxycontin is used to relieve moderate to severe pain.
- Oxycontin binds with the opioid receptors in the brain and block the release of excitatory neurotransmitters, such as, substance P, which are involved with pain production. Thus, Oxycontin primarily modifies the pain signaling in the brain.
- This action of Oxycontin alters the perception of pain by the patient.