The Dangers of Prescription Pain Killers - Oxycontin

Millions of people suffer from untreated pain for acancer patients treat their chronic pain, more
variety of illnesses and ailments. In fact, since 1986,prescriptions are being written to treat moderate to
the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated thatsevere non-cancer pain. The prescriptions for
inadequate treatment of cancer and non-cancer painOxycontin, particularly those to treat non-cancer pain,
is a serious public health concern.are growing rapidly, with nearly half of the
Therefore, in the face of this knowledge, the Foodprescriptions being made by primary care physicians.
and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new,According to the FDA, there is some concern that
controlled release pain reliever in 1995 calledOxycontin is being prescribed by physicians who are
Oxycontin.not properly trained in pain management. The FDA
Oxycontin (Oxycodone HCI controlled-release) is thehas cited Purdue Pharmaceuticals twice for using
brand name of a drug that contains the opioidpotentially false or misleading medical journal
Oxycodone, a very strong narcotic pain reliever withadvertisements that violated the Federal Food, Drug
twice the potency of morphine. By 2001, Oxycontinand Cosmetic Act. As such, the FDA has taken
was the most widely prescribed brand name narcoticaction against Purdue Pharmaceutical. Purdue's
pain medication, with sales exceeding $1 billionaggressive, and sometimes deceptive, advertising
annually. Originally prescribed to help treat the paincampaign promoting Oxycontin as a "general" pain
associated with cancer, Oxycontin was designed toreliever contributes to the cavalier attitude being
slowly release Oxycodone over time, allowingtaken. These attitudes have led to wide spread
patients to use it twice daily and to retain steadyabuse of this potent pain medication. Other factors
relief.that contribute to the wide abuse of Oxycontin
The opioid quality of Oxycontin works to relieve paininclude:
by attaching to specific proteins called opioid* Availability of the drug: To those that need it and
receptors, which are found in the brain, spinal cord,to those that do not.
and gastrointestinal tract. When these drugs attach* The warning label: Warns against the dangers of
to the opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cordcrushing Oxycontin because of the possibility of a
they can effectively block the transmission of painrapid release of the potentially fatal narcotic in fact
messages to the brain.informed users of how to abuse the drug. All opioids
However, due to the potency of the drug, if largecarry a risk of dependency and abuse. For example
amounts of oxycodone are released from the tabletheroin, a well-known narc otic, is a very potent opioid
all at once, there is potential for a dangerous or fataland comes with a very high risk of dependency and
drug overdose.abuse.
Pharmacological effects of opioid agonists, including* Inadequate research: The controlled release quality
Oxycontin, are:of Oxycontin led the FDA to believe it would have
* Anxiolysis (a drug-induced state where patientsless potential for abuse than other pain medications
respond normally to verbal commands). Whileof the same
coordination and cognitive function may be impaired,* caliber and class. However, there was an oversight
other functions remain unaffected).in the process of research, as the FDA did not
* Euphoria.consider that Oxycontin could be crushed or
* Feelings of relaxation.dissolved in water. Doing this disrupts the controlled
* Respiratory depression.release process and instead causes a rush or "high" in
* Constipation.the user.
* Miosis.Congressional hearings were held in December 2001
* Cough suppression.and again in February 2002 to address the abuse of
Adverse effects of opioid agonists and OxycontinOxycontin. Both the FDA and Purdue Pharmaceutical
include:began to take steps to address the problems
* Nausea.associated with the use and abuse of Oxycontin. In
* Vomiting.July 2001 the FDA strengthened the warnings and
* Central nervous system (CNS) effects.precautions section in the labeling, issuing a "black
* Respiratory depression.box" warning, the highest possible warning level.
In addition, according to the Drug EnforcementTogether with Purdue Pharmaceuticals, the FDA also
Agency (DEA), abuse of Oxycontin is associated withdeveloped a risk management program to help
serious consequences including addiction, overdosedetect the abuse of, and prevent abuse of,
and death. The FDA states the potential dangersOxycontin.
associated with Oxycontin and, while it is approvedPurdue has also initiated programs to educate health
for use, has classified Oxycontin as a schedule IIcare providers about the risks associated with the
controlled substance under the Controlled Substanceabuse of Oxycontin. They have issued a warning in
Act of 1970 because it has a high potential for abusethe form of a "Dear Healthcare Professional" letter.
and can lead to psychological and/or physicalThe letter informs health care providers of the
dependence. Schedule II drugs have the highestpotential misuse of Oxycontin and reiterates the
potential for abuse of any approved drugs.importance of discretion and necessity when
In early 2000, reports of improper and illicit use ofprescribing the drug.
Oxycontin surfaced. Some of these reported casesThe letter was distributed widely to physicians,
have been associated with serious consequencespharmacists, and other healthcare professionals in an
including death. Oxycontin, as with any prescriptionattempt to thwart the writing of gratuitous
narcotic, carries with it some risk of dependency andprescriptions and to ensure that health care providers
abuse. However, due to the large numbers ofare communicating accurately and thoroughly the
prescriptions being written for Oxycontin it is difficultdangers associated with the use of Oxycontin to
to monitor the use and abuse of Oxycontin. Eventheir patients.
though Oxycontin was originally intended to help