What Are M30 Pills?

M30 pills, often referred to as “blues”, are a type of prescription opioid medication containing oxycodone hydrochloride. While they are commonly prescribed for managing moderate to severe pain, they have garnered significant attention due to their high potential for abuse and addiction.

History of M30 Pills

M30 pills are part of the opioid analgesic family, stemming from the development of oxycodone in 1916 by German chemists Freund and Speyer. Oxycodone was synthesized to provide a safer alternative to morphine and heroin for pain management¹. Over the decades, it became a standard prescription medication for chronic pain, particularly under brand names like OxyContin.

Counterfeit versions of M30 pills have become a major issue in recent years, often containing fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid linked to the surge in overdose deaths worldwide².

Are M30 Pills Legal?

The legal status of M30 pills depends on their formulation and intended use:

• United States: Oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Prescriptions are required, and unauthorized possession is illegal³.
• Canada: Classified as a Schedule I drug, requiring strict regulation for prescription and distribution⁴.
• United Kingdom: Categorized as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, making non-prescribed possession illegal⁵.
• Australia: Listed as a Schedule 8 controlled substance, with heavy penalties for illicit use or distribution⁶.

What Do M30 Pills Look Like?

Authentic M30 pills are small, round, and blue, with “M” imprinted on one side and “30” on the other.

They lack any distinct odor or taste.

Counterfeit versions may vary in color, size, or markings and often contain illicit substances like fentanyl or methamphetamine⁷.

How Are M30 Pills Made?

Legitimate M30 pills are manufactured in pharmaceutical-grade facilities under strict regulatory oversight. The production process involves synthesizing oxycodone from “thebaine”, an alkaloid found in the opium poppy⁸.

Counterfeit pills, however, are often produced in clandestine labs using non-pharmaceutical-grade ingredients, leading to dangerous inconsistencies⁹.

Pharmacokinetics

When taken orally, oxycodone is absorbed in the GI tract and metabolized primarily in the liver by CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 enzymes. Its bioavailability ranges from 60% to 87%, with a half-life of approximately 3–4 hours for immediate-release formulations¹⁰.

Pharmacodynamics

Oxycodone binds to mu-opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, mimicking endorphins to reduce pain perception. This interaction also produces euphoria, sedation, and respiratory depression, contributing to its high abuse potential¹¹.

Routes of Administration

M30 pills are designed for oral use but are often misused through alternative methods:

• Oral ingestion: The intended route, offering controlled release of the active ingredient.
• Crushing and snorting: Leads to rapid absorption and increased risk of overdose.
• Dissolving and injecting: Bypasses first-pass metabolism, delivering the drug directly into the bloodstream for an immediate and intense effect¹².

Effects Of M30 Pills

Short-Term Effects

• Pain relief
• Euphoria
• Sedation
• Respiratory depression¹³

Long-Term Effects

• Tolerance
• Dependence
• Constipation
• Hormonal imbalances¹⁴

How Long Do M30 Pills Last?

• Oral ingestion: Effects begin within 10–30 minutes and peak at 1–2 hours.
• Snorting: Effects start within 5–10 minutes, with a more intense peak.
• Injecting: Effects occur almost immediately, with maximum intensity¹⁵.

Immediate-release M30 pills provide pain relief for 3–6 hours.

Extended-release formulations last 12–24 hours, though abuse can alter this duration¹⁶.

Drug Testing For M30 Pills

The Department of Transportation (DOT) performs drug testing for opiate use in their employees. Opiates are one of the five mandatory testing categories for the DOT, alongside marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines and PCP_.  Using M30 pills will make a person come up positive for opiates on their drug screen since oxycodone falls under the opiate family of drugs.

Standard drug tests can detect oxycodone in:

• Urine: Up to 3–4 days post-use.
• Blood: Up to 24 hours.
• Saliva: Up to 1–2 days.
• Hair: Up to 90 days.

Cutoff levels vary by test, with urine tests commonly set at 100 ng/mL for oxycodone¹⁷.

Supply Chain Precursor, Sources, and Locations

Pharmaceutical-grade oxycodone is derived from thebaine, which is cultivated primarily in Australia and Turkey.

Counterfeit M30 pills, however, are typically produced in illegal labs, with fentanyl sourced from regions like China or Mexico¹⁸.

Street Prices For M30 Pills

Street prices for M30 pills vary based on location and availability:

• United States: $20–$30 per pill.
• Canada: $25–$40 per pill.
• Europe: €15–€25 per pill¹⁹.

How Much Is a Typical Dose?

Therapeutic doses for M30 pills range from 5–30 mg every 4–6 hours. Illicit users often exceed these amounts, significantly increasing the risk of overdose²⁰.

Who Are The Main Users Of M30 Pills

• Age: Most users are between 18–35 years old.
• Gender: Slightly higher prevalence among males.
• Geography: Higher rates in urban and suburban areas²¹.

Feedback on User Satisfaction and Experiences

Users describe oxycodone as effective for pain management but warn of its addictive potential. Recreational users often seek its euphoric effects, with mixed reviews due to dependence and withdrawal symptoms²².

M30 Pills vs. Morphine: Less Potent but Similar Effects

Morphine, a naturally occurring opiate derived from the opium poppy, is one of the most well-known and widely used opioids for pain relief. It is less potent than M30 pills, which typically contain oxycodone, but both drugs share similar mechanisms of action.

Both bind to mu-opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, leading to pain relief, euphoria, and sedation. However, the potency difference means that higher doses of morphine are required to achieve the same analgesic effects as oxycodone. This can lead to an increased risk of side effects such as nausea, constipation, and respiratory depression at higher doses.

Morphine’s effects tend to last longer, making it suitable for managing chronic pain in controlled settings.

M30 Pills vs. Hydrocodone: Comparable Potency but Shorter Duration

Hydrocodone, another semi-synthetic opioid, is comparable in potency to oxycodone but has a slightly shorter duration of action. While M30 pills typically provide pain relief for 4–6 hours, hydrocodone’s effects often wear off within 3–5 hours.

Like oxycodone, hydrocodone is often combined with non-opioid pain relievers such as acetaminophen for enhanced efficacy.

Both drugs are widely prescribed for moderate-to-severe pain and have a similar potential for misuse and addiction. However, oxycodone is often preferred for managing pain that requires prolonged relief, while hydrocodone may be chosen for acute or intermittent pain management.

M30 Pills vs. Fentanyl: Much Stronger, with a Higher Risk of Overdose

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is significantly more potent than both morphine and oxycodone. It is approximately 50–100 times stronger than morphine and about 20–50 times stronger than oxycodone. Fentanyl’s extreme potency makes it effective for treating severe pain, such as in cancer patients or during surgery, but it also comes with a substantially higher risk of respiratory depression and overdose.

Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is a major contributor to the opioid overdose crisis, as even small doses can be lethal.

Compared to M30 pills, fentanyl has a faster onset of action and shorter duration, often requiring more frequent dosing for pain management. Its potency and rapid action make it particularly dangerous when mixed with other substances or used recreationally.

Conclusion

M30 pills serve a legitimate medical purpose but carry significant risks of misuse and addiction. Understanding these risks is crucial for healthcare providers to prescribe the appropriate opioid based on the patient’s pain level, medical history, and risk of dependency.

References

1. Freund, B., & Speyer, J. (1916). “Development of Oxycodone.” Journal of Pharmacology. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. “The Fentanyl Crisis.” Available at: https://www.drugabuse.gov.
3. U.S. Department of Justice. “Controlled Substances Act.” Available at: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov.
4. Health Canada. “Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.” Available at: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca.
5. UK Home Office. “Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.” Available at: https://www.gov.uk.
6. Australian Government. “Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons.” Available at: https://www.tga.gov.au.
7. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “Counterfeit Pills.” Available at: https://www.dea.gov.
8. Meyer, M. R., et al. “Oxycodone Synthesis and Metabolism.” Drug Metabolism Reviews. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
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11. Maurer, H. H., et al. “Illicit Drug Manufacturing.” Journal of Chromatography B. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30668962/.
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13. Gutstein, H. B., & Akil, H. “Opioid Analgesics.” Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. Available at: https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=2189&sectionid=170002458.
14. Zacny, J. P., et al. “Misuse of Prescription Opioids.” American Journal on Addictions. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16019961/.
15. Comer, S. D., et al. “Therapeutic and Adverse Effects of Oxycodone.” Psychopharmacology (Berlin). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11981615/.
16. Pergolizzi, J. V., et al. “Adverse Effects of Long-term Opioid Therapy.” Pain Practice. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21457258/.
17. St. Onge, E. L., & Lucas, B. D. “Opioid Speed of Onset and Effects.” Clinical Pharmacology. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25623594/.
18. Fredheim, O. M., et al. “Duration of Analgesic Effects of Oxycodone.” European Journal of Pain. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20440498/.
19. Dyer, J. R., et al. “Drug Testing for Oxycodone and Detection Windows.” Journal of Analytical Toxicology.Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18549136/.
20. Ciccarone, D. “Fentanyl and Illicit Drug Markets.” Addiction. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30549202/.
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