Patient was educated on contraindications for using Oxycontin as follows:
- Oxycontin is mainly excreted in the urine. Individuals with compromised renal functions tend to retain the drug in the circulation longer, thus resulting in toxicity. Oxycontin should be avoided or used with extreme caution in such individuals.
- Oxycontin affects the respiratory center in the brain and induces slowing down of respirations. The breathing pattern can become irregular with reduced gas exchange and lead to elevated carbon dioxide and reduced oxygen levels in the body. Overdose of Oxycontin can also cause respiratory arrest. Oxycontin should be avoided or used with extreme caution in individuals with history of respiratory abnormalities, such as, asthma and COPD.
- Oxycontin should be avoided or used with extreme caution in individuals with history of head injury, coma, and brain surgery. These individuals are at increased risk for depression of the respiratory center and coma with Oxycontin.
- Avoid using Oxycontin along with other medications that have a potential to cause respiratory depression, such as, muscle relaxants, sedatives, and antianxiety medications. Though they cause mild respiratory depression individually, they can have an additive effect when combined with Oxycontin and thus, precipitate severe respiratory depression.
- Oxycontin has the potential to increase the intracranial pressure. Individuals with history of head injury, curvature of the spine, and intracranial lesions are at increased risk for elevated intracranial pressures, secondary to Oxycontin use, with consequent headache, vomiting, double vision, and confusion.
