Oxycodone is a chemically engineered opiate designed as a pain
reliever comparable to codeine in structure and effects. It was
originally developed in Germany in 1916 by the drug company
Bayer as an alternative to heroin. Oxycodone is an extremely
effective pain killer and is often prescribed to treat pain
after surgery and chronic extreme back pain. Due to its
addictive nature, Oxycodone is a schedule II controlled
substance in the U.S., meaning it can only be obtained by a
written prescription with no refills, and cannot be phoned into
a pharmacy. Because it has similar effects, it is often abused
by the same groups of people that abuse morphine and heroin.