OxyContin, especially when chewed or snorted lowers a person's respiration rate. Each person is different, but as little as half a pill when combined with alcohol or other depressants can lower your respiratory system enough to be deadly. Excessive amounts of OxyContin taken alone or combined with a long list of other medications can also easily kill a person by lowering their respiration until they eventually stop breathing. The most dangerous side effect is overdosing.

Symptoms of an overdose from OxyContin are:

slow breathing

seizures

dizziness

confusion

anorexia

dry mouth

weakness

loss of consciousness

coma

confusion

tiredness

cold and clammy skin

small pupils

A drug known as naltrexone is capable of restoring respiratory function within 1 to 2 minutes. This is important when counter acting the side effects of OxyContin. It is used primarily for the treatment of narcotic addiction to block the effects of opiates, especially the euphoric effects experienced in opiate addiction.

Some side effects are more uncommon and are not clearly displayed in all individuals:

excessive itching

sleepiness

profuse sweating

headaches

distant look

slurred speech

OxyContin's side effects vary in degree. When the pill is broken or crushed it will release a toxic amount of oxycontin increasing the potency of its effects, and side effects. This can cause OxyContin to be deadly.