What is a K18 Pill?
Opioids are central nervous system depressants. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, opioids both illicit and prescription, were responsible for over 80,000 overdose deaths in the United States in 2021. The k18 pill, also known as “killer pill” or “killer k18” is a small, white, round tablet containing 5mg of oxycodone hydrochloride. This opioid medication is typically prescribed for the short-term management of severe pain. However, like its illicit counterpart, the k18 pill has been linked to opioid overdose deaths contributing to the public health opioid epidemic.
What is a K18 pill?
K18 contains oxycodone hydrochloride. Oxycodone is a narcartic. Oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled substance. This means that despite possessing high addictive prosperities, it provides some medical benefits if taken under a prescription recommendation. It is most often prescribed to treat various conditions such as intense and ongoing pain post-surgery, chronic ailments and severe injuries. It is prescribed for short-term pain management and is not recommended for long-term use due to its addictive properties. It is the most useful for treating acute pain that does not require constant medication.
K18 is a white, round tablet with a line down the middle splitting the letter K and the number 18. The vertical groove makes the drug easier to break in half. It is an immediate-release formulation containing 5mg of oxycodone. This is the smallest dose of the immediate-release formula. The duration of effects lasts anywhere from 4-6 hours. It interacts with the opioid receptors in the brain to block pain signals and release dopamine.
Side Effects of K18 Pill
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Stomach pains and abdominal pain
- Mood changes
- Confusion and mental brain fog
- Loss of coordination
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Irregular heartbeat
- Extreme agitation
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing or respiratory depression
- Unusual sweating and itchiness
- Seizures
- Tolerance, dependence and withdrawal
- Hormonal changes
- Changes in the immune system
- Low blood pressure
- Liver and kidney damage
- Cardiovascular complications
- Higher sensitivity to pain
The effects of the k18 pill usually begin within about 30 minutes to an hour after taking the first dose. The pain-relieving effects can last anywhere from 4-6 hours. K18 produces pain-relieving effects. The oxycodone is attached to the opioid receptors in the brain to block pain receptors. Oxycodone can also help the brain release more neurochemicals called dopamine and produce feelings of sedation and euphoria. This feeling is the number one reason why users often abuse this drug.
The Dangers of K18 Pills
K18 pills are powerful opioid drugs. It is often misused and abused as a means to reach feelings of euphoria. Some of the biggest dangers of k18 abuse include the risk of dependence, addiction and overdose, damage to the liver, kidney and heart, and the development of dangerous withdrawal symptoms once drug use has slowed down or stopped.
These pills have become so popular counterfeit pills are designed to closely resemble the prescription ones. Everything from the colors, shapes and markings are so similar, it can make it difficult to distinguish between prescription medication and counterfeit medication. The most alarming aspect of counterfeit k18 pills is the frequent presence of fentanyl and other dangerous substances mixed into the street drug. Sometimes illicit K18 pills can also contain Xylazine, benzos or other substances that can cause further damage, a high risk of addiction and overdose death.
Illicit k18 pills contain a mix of other synthetic ingredients that contain higher potency, which can lead to unpredictable effects and an accidental overdose due to the variation in the composition of the drug. Because illicit k18 can be cut with other ingredients, this can also make the drug lethal due to its unknown contents and dosage of the unknown contents.
How can you spot a counterfeit k18 pill? Sometimes that can be difficult to identify because they look so similar to the real deal. Check your medication for inconsistent coloring, sizes and markings. If you suspect counterfeit, check the packaging. Check the package for discrepancies such as missing security features or if the safety seals have been tampered with. If you are buying these pills at a drastically lower price, chances are they are counterfeit. Watch out for symptoms of overdose. Most of the time, illicit k18 pills are cut with other unknown ingredients, which can contain an unknown dosage and can potentially lead to an overdose.
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Recognize the Signs of K18 Pill Abuse
Abuse of k18 pills is dangerous. When you take a higher dose than prescribed, that is considered abuse. When you consume the medication more frequently than prescribed, that is considered abuse. When you mix your pills with other substances such as alcohol or benzos, that is considered abuse. When you crush the pill to snort it, that is considered abuse. And when you obtain the medication illegally to take, that is also considered abuse.
- Extreme drowsiness or sedation
- Slurred speech
- Impaired coordination
- Erratic behavior and extreme mood swings
- Agitation and unusual behavior changes
- Pinpoint pupils
Oxycodone vs Percocet
Oxycodone and Percocet are often confused for the same medication. This is because they are both opioid pain medications that contain oxycodone. Both drugs are narcotic analgesics. The main difference is Percocet contains a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen. Both medications are semisynthetic opiates that are central nervous system depressants. They are used to treat moderate to severe pain. However, Percocet is also used to treat conditions associated with fever. Percocet is not recommended as a pain reliever for long-term use due to the acetaminophen. Long-term use of acetaminophen can cause liver damage. This leads to abdominal pain, black or tarry stool and yellowing of the eyes and skin.
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Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Opioids such as K18 pills are becoming more popular as the opioid public health crisis continues to grow. Opioids are potent and highly habit-forming substances that can lead to tolerance, dependence, addiction and overdose death. An opioid addiction occurs when a person has continuously abused opioids over a long period of time in which the body is unable to produce its own dopamine or function properly without the presence of opioids. This causes a person to need more opioids in their system in order to feel “normal.” Professional behavioral treatment programs such as Hotel California by the Sea provide the necessary tools and guidance clients need to navigate their opioid addiction.
Our specialized opioid use disorder treatment program provides detox, residential, PHP and IOP levels of care. We utilize effective treatment methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy and family therapy. At Hotel California by the Sea, we prioritize our client’s health by addressing every aspect of addiction: emotional, physical and psychological. By creating individualized treatment plans, clients in all stages of treatment will be able to get the help they need to reach a happier and healthier life in sobriety.
References:
https://www.gratitudelodge.com/drug-info/pain-relief/narcotic/opioid/oxycodone/k18-pill
https://addictionresource.com/drugs/oxycodone/pill-identifier
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/oxycodone-vs-percocet
https://www.healthline.com/health/oxycodone-vs-percocet
https://stilldetox.com/k18-pill/
https://mandalahealingcenter.net/k18-pill-identification-side-effects-and-risks/