Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Oxy
Medically reviewed by Dr. Otari Nergadze, Neurosurgeon | Updated: January 2026
Oxy: Street name for OxyContin, prescription painkiller that has become a popular and dangerous recreational drug.
OxyContin is a time-release morphine-like narcotic intended to relieve chronic pain of moderate to severe proportions. One pill of OxyContin is designed to last 12 hours.
The active ingredient in OxyContin is oxycodone, an opioid, a close relative of morphine, heroin, codeine, fentanyl, and methadone.
"Oxy" has been widely abused. It is highly addicting. Those who abuse it usually crush the pills -- to disable their time-release mechanism -- and then snort or inject them for a powerful and immediate opiate high.