Oxycodone In Pregnancy: Risks, Safety, and What You Need to Know

Pregnant women have to deal with severe pain due to hormonal as well as weight changes that occur in the body. To deal with this situation, taking opioids might be an effective solution because they are well-known painkillers. From the family of opioids, Oxycodone is the most well-known and very efficient for any type of pain. But it has several side effects that can affect both mother and child. So, in this blog, we will discuss, is it safe to take Oxycodone in pregnancy, which will give you a clear picture of whether to choose this or go for some other alternatives.

Oxycodone

The drug Oxycodone belongs to the family of Opioids and is widely used as a pain reliever. It is available for use in many forms, such as extended release, immediate release, and also in combination with other drugs in products like Percocet, OxyContin, and Endocet. Oxycodone is sold in the market under various brand names such as OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan, Roxicodone, Xtampza ER, Oxaydo, and RoxyBond. There is a high risk of getting addicted to Oxycodone even if you use it as part of your prescription. The high dependency and addiction rate of this drug is the reason why it’s placed under the category of a Schedule II drug.

Being a controlled substance, the activity of Oxycodone is highly supervised and requires a prescription to buy it. This is why some dealers sell them on the street by changing the drug’s actual name to avoid being caught by anyone. This changed name is called Street Names. Various street names of Oxycodone include:

• Percs
• Oxy
• Oxycotton
• Hillbilly Heroin
• Pills
• Blues
• M30s

Uses Of Oxycodone

People use Oxycodone for various purposes due to its high potency. They are mostly used as prescription medication and given to patients suffering from moderate to severe pain. But some use this illegally for various other purposes.

Doctors suggest using Oxycodone for:

• Chronic pain, like diabetes
• Treating severe cancer pain.
• Acute pain, like surgery pain and pain from heavy injury.

Recreationally, Oxycodone is used to get high euphoric feelings by crushing and snorting the tablets. Crushing increases the speed of absorption of the tablet by the body, resulting in a much intense effect on the body.

Side Effects Of Using Oxycodone

Similar to other drugs, Oxycodone also has various side effects noticed in individuals who use the drug. It is common to experience side effects when you are under any drug, but if these effects start to interfere with your daily life, then it is a matter of concern. Various common side effects of the drug include:

• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• nausea
• vomiting
• headache
• dry mouth
• sweating
• itching.

Additionally, there is a risk of getting affected by other serious risks like dependency, allergy, and respiratory issues.

Can You Take Oxycodone In Pregnancy?

We have already discussed how Oxycodone is very helpful in providing relief from pain. But we cannot ignore all the potential risks associated with the drugs, which can cause harm to the fetus. There is no such research available that shows the effectiveness of using Oxycodone during pregnancy. If your pain is unbearable, then you should consult with your healthcare provider and ask them to suggest an effective way of treatment or certain remedies that will be useful.

Side Effects Of Taking Oxycodone In Pregnancy

It is important to be aware of the risks involved in using Oxycodone during pregnancy to take the essential measures required for protecting both the mother and child. Let’s discuss how Oxycodone affects the fetus and newborn.

• Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS): This is the case where severe withdrawal symptoms are seen in the baby. This happens if the mother constantly takes Oxycodone during pregnancy, which is also passed to the unborn child through the bloodstream. After birth, the baby does not receive Oxycodone, for which their body starts to show withdrawal symptoms.
• Preterm Delivery: Oxycodone results in early delivery, much before the expected date. It is seen that the baby is delivered before 37 weeks. This can be very harmful for the baby since they will still be developing and will face several health issues after birth.
• Growth Issues: The baby can face issues in their growth, and also have a weak immune system, which would lead to develop various health issues in them.

When Should You Stop Taking Oxycodone During Pregnancy?

There is very little possibility that the doctor would prescribe Oxycodone to the patient suffering from pain during pregnancy. But in certain rare cases, the doctor might prescribe it in a low dose after carefully considering all the factors. But if you feel any discomfort, such as gastrointestinal issues, headaches, or issues during labor, you must immediately seek suggestions from the healthcare provider. You can ask the doctor to lower your dose or prescribe you other alternative options.

Alternatives To Oxycodone

Oxycodone can’t be an effective option for pregnant women due to its side effects and high potency. So they can go for various other alternative options available, which will be equally helpful with fewer side effects to their body.

Various alternative drugs to Oxycodone for pregnancy are:

• Tylenol
• Paracetamol
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen

If you do not want to take any drug to get pain relief, then you can choose various natural remedies, such as doing light exercise, massage, going to therapy, and taking various herbal supplements.

Conclusion

At the end, we can conclude that it’s better not to use Oxycodone as a source of pain relief during pregnancy. Instead, you can go for other natural alternatives as mentioned in the blog. Always take advice from your doctor in this crucial time to avoid even the slightest mistake, because this can affect your baby. Remain calm and relaxed as much as you can, and deal with every situation patiently.