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.