Posted by Caleb462 on April 29, 2003, at 16:09:02
In reply to endocet and mood lift, posted by Rainee on April 29, 2003, at 14:17:35
> HI all I take lexapro 30 mgs a day and some xanax .
> I took a half of a endocet(generic for percocet)
> and I feel so good for a bit my mood lifts and I wish I could be that way all the time..lol
> but usually in a little bit I get a little anxious.
> or irritable.
> can some one explain what it did chemically?
> to someone who suffers from depression.
> thanks
> Raineeendocet/percocet contains oxycodone. Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opiod. An opiod is any drug that binds to the mu-opiod receptors in the brain.
The body contains natural chemicals, called endorphins, that bind to the mu-opiod site. The body releases these chemicals whenever you experience pain, they act as natural pain killers. The body also uses these chemicals to induce feelings of pleasure and reward.
Morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, etc. do the exact same thing as the endorphins - but to a greater degree. Low doses of these drugs generally have a anti-depressant, anxiotylic effect - high doses ususally induce intense euphoria.
These drugs will induce feelings of pleasure in any person, whether they are depressed or not. However, a person suffering from depression may be more sensitive to the pleasurable effects of oxycodone, since they are likely lacking in endorphin activity.
You said you end up getting anxious and irritable, and yes, activation of mu receptors can cause these things, particularly irritability. The anxious effect may stem from the fact that GABA transmission is reduced by mu activation. I generally find that I do not get anxious from opiods, unless the dose is medium/high and I am in a social situation. By myself, the opiods act as awesome anti-anxiety agents.
The bad side, of course, is that continued use of oxycodone or any opiod produces tolerance and dependance, and upon discontinuation, horrible withdrawl.
poster:Caleb462
thread:223187
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030429/msgs/223206.html