OxyContin is a brand name for the prescription medication oxycodone hydrochloride, which is a powerful opioid analgesic. It is commonly used to manage moderate to severe pain that is expected to last for an extended period of time. OxyContin contains oxycodone in an extended-release formulation, which means the medication is released slowly over an extended period, providing long-lasting pain relief. It belongs to the class of drugs known as opioid agonists, which work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, thereby reducing the perception of pain.