Oxycontin Information RSS

Maine Communities Experiencing Increase in Abuse of Drugs Intended to Treat Opiate Addictions

Drugs such as Suboxone that are normally prescribed by federal licensed doctors who have been trained to treat addicts are now showing up in prisons and jails in the area since they are so easily smuggled in cards and manila envelopes. In Portland, many users are dissolving the pills and then injecting the Suboxone right into their veins. read more

OxyContin One of the Most Abused Drugs in Hollywood

Despite warnings and plenty of negative Hollywood publicity, people are misusing the painkiller OxyContin with devastating results. read more

Floridians Dying in Epic Proportions from Oxycodone Overdoses

Florida has seen a near 9 percent increase in deaths related to prescription drugs up from 2009, even though law enforcement staged an aggressive crackdown. Oxycodone has been the main culprit, causing over 1,500 deaths in 2010 alone, compared to 1,185 the year before. This is the second year in a row that prescription drugs have outdone illegal drug as the leading cause of death. There were nearly three times the number of deaths in Florida from oxycodone as compared to cocaine. read more

OxyContin Addiction Strikes PRC Commissioner

OxyContin addiction has been the downfall of many public figures. Most recently, Jerome Block, Jr., the commissioner of the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) publicly acknowledged a two-and-a-half year battle with prescription drug addiction. read more

Teen Brains More Sensitive to Oxycodone than Adult Brains

The study results seem to indicate that Oxycodone, taken in adolescence, affects the brain in ways that leave the central nervous system more sensitive to the drug even into adulthood. Some say that the study supports not only an elevated sensitivity in adolescents to Oxycodone but perhaps to any addictive substance. read more

New Version of Drug Harder to Use But Addicts Persevere

OxyContin was designed to help patients with cancer and those with unrelenting pain. The drug was created to gradually release oxycodone, its active ingredient, over 12-hours. After its release in 1996 it was quickly abused by drug addicts who discovered that by chewing a tablet or crumbling it up to snort its powder, it gave an instant pick me up, much like that of heroin. read more

Proposed Bill Could Separate Data and Penalties for Methadone, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone

Soon it may be a swifter and more precise road in Oregon toward helping prosecutors and officials collect data on the top three most widely abused prescription painkillers: methadone, oxycodone and hydrocodone. In early June the Senate Judiciary Committee passed House Bill 2174, which will establish individual statutes for the prescription medications, a change that has already been put into place for heroin, ecstasy and cocaine. read more

Florida Launches New Prescription Drug Initiatives as Problem Compared to Major U.S. Epidemics

Florida authorities are revving up efforts to dismantle "pill mills" and create a more positive reputation for the state, which carries the nation's highest level of prescription painkiller abuse, especially for oxycodone. read more

Sharp Increase in Drug-Related Suicide Attempts Among Women Over 50

Among women aged 50 and older, suicide attempts involving prescription drugs have increased drastically. read more

Drug Manufacturers Working On Non-Crushable, Non-Dissolvable Painkillers to Lessen Addiction Potential

Purdue, the manufacturers of OxyContin, plans to follow suit with a modified type of the drug soon that may be even more resistant to tampering. The FDA is also reviewing similar products from other opioid manufacturers to see if they are safe and may lessen the risk of addiction. read more