OxyContin Abuse & Addiction

OxyContin is a dangerous pharmaceutical drug that has the potential for abuse and addiction, and the possibility of severe withdrawal symptoms when cessation is handled poorly.

OxyContin (oxycodone hydrochloride) is a widely used painkiller which falls into the category of opiate agonists. It provides pain relief by attaching to specific proteins in the brain, spinal cord and gastrointestinal tract, called opioid receptors. This process effectively blocks pain signals to the brain.

OxyContin is extremely addictive and the manufacturer, Purdue Pharma, LP, (“Purdue Pharma”) took steps to hide their knowledge about the addictive nature of the drug in an effort to encourage the overuse of the medication and to place profit above consumer safety. In fact, Purdue faced a criminal investigation surrounding their misbranding of the drug and misrepresentations regarding the addictive nature of the medication.

FDA Announces Results of Investigation Into Illegal Promotion of OxyContin by The Purdue Frederick Company, Inc.-- Purdue Pharma Misrepresented Prescription Pain Reliever to Health Care Professionals

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) entered into an agreement with The Purdue Frederick Company, Inc. wherein they agreed to pay more than $700 million to resolve criminal charges and civil liabilities in connection with several illegal schemes to promote, market and sell OxyContin, a powerful prescription pain reliever that the company produces.

An investigation by OCI uncovered an extensive, long-term conspiracy by The Purdue Frederick Company, Inc. to generate the maximum amount of revenues possible from the sale of OxyContin through various illegal schemes. To further this goal, Purdue trained its sales representatives to make false representations to health care providers about the difficulty of extracting oxycodone, the active ingredient, from the OxyContin tablet; trained its sales force to represent to health care providers that OxyContin did not cause euphoria and was less addictive than immediate-release opiates; and allowed health care providers to entertain the erroneous belief that OxyContin was less addictive than morphine. In addition, Purdue falsely labeled OxyContin as providing "fewer peaks and valleys than with immediate-release oxycodone," and by representing that "...delayed absorption as provided by OxyContin Tablets is believed to reduce the abuse liability of the drug."

"FDA will not tolerate practices that falsely promote drug products and place consumers at health risk," said Margaret O.K. Glavin, Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs. "We will continue to do all we can to protect the public against drug companies and their representatives who are not truthful and bilk consumers of precious health care dollars."

To resolve the criminal charges, Purdue pled guilty to a felony count of misbranding a drug with intent to defraud and mislead. As part of the plea, Purdue will pay a $600 million settlement. That amount includes a criminal fine, restitution to government agencies, and over $276 million in forfeiture. In a separate civil settlement, Purdue will pay $100.6 million to the United States.

In addition, Purdue's current and former executive employees, Michael Friedman, Howard Udell and Dr. Paul Goldenheim, pled guilty to a misdemeanor violation of misbranding OxyContin by illegally promoting the drug as being less addictive, less subject to abuse, and less likely to cause tolerance and withdrawal than other pain medications.

This case was prosecuted by the U. S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Virginia and investigated by FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations; the Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigations Division; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General; and the State Police Departments of Virginia and West Virginia. This case serves as an excellent example of federal and state law enforcement cooperation.

Dangers Associated with OxyContin

OxyContin is a habit forming and addictive prescription drug. It's potential for misuse and abuse is significant despite representations to the contrary by its manufacturer. When abused, OxyContin may be chewed, snorted, or injected which can adversely affect the user's respiration leading to unconsciousness or death. If OxyContin tablets are broken, crushed, or chewed, they can release a potentially fatal overdose of the painkiller. Intravenous injection of OxyContin can lead to necrosis of skin tissue near the injection site, adverse heart-related problems, and lung injury.

Are You Taking OxyContin?

If you are presently taking OxyContin under a doctor's prescription and supervision, do not stop taking OxyContin without first talking to your doctor about this information. You should discuss the best individualized treatment plan for your medical conditions. Your doctor may be able to suggest alternative medications that don't involve the risks associated with the use of OxyContin.

Injured by OxyContin?

If you have or a family member has been injured or suffered serious side effects from the prescription drug OxyContin, you may be entitled to compensation from those responsible. At Arnold & Itkin LLP, our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to take on large pharmaceutical corporations like GlaxoSmithKline and hold them accountable for their actions.

For a free consultation with an experienced attorney, contact a medical injury attorney online or phone Arnold & Itkin LLP toll free at 1-866-222-2606.

OxyContin Questions & Answers

(Source: FDA.gov)

What kind of medicine is OxyContin?

OxyContin contains oxycodone, a very strong narcotic pain reliever similar to morphine. OxyContin is designed so that the oxycodone is slowly released over time, allowing it to be used twice daily. You should never break, chew, or crush the OxyContin tablet since this causes a large amount of oxycodone to be released from the tablet all at once, potentially resulting in a dangerous or fatal drug overdose.

What kind of pain is appropriate to treat with OxyContin?

OxyContin is intended to help relieve pain that is moderate to severe in intensity, when that pain is present all the time, and expected to continue for a long time. This level of pain severity may be caused by a variety of different medical conditions.

How do I know if I have the right kind of pain to use OxyContin?

Only a physician can determine if OxyContin is a good choice to manage a your pain. If you have pain every day that lasts for a large part of the day, and the pain is moderate or severe in intensity, depending upon other factors in your medical history, OxyContin may be a good choice for you. Speak with your physician.

If you feel you only need to take a pain reliever occasionally and this adequately treats your pain, OxyContin is NOT the right drug for you. If you only need a pain reliever for a few days, for example following a dental or surgical procedure, OxyContin is not the right drug for you.

Are there any activities that I should not perform while using OxyContin for pain relief?

OxyContin may interfere with your ability to do certain things that require your full attention. You should not drive a car, operate heavy machinery, or do other possibly dangerous activities while taking OxyContin.

What should I do if I still have pain after I take the OxyContin?

Because OxyContin is a very strong medication, you should not adjust the dose without first speaking with your physician.

Can I take other medicines while I am using OxyContin for pain relief?

Combining OxyContin with some other types of medication such as sleeping pills, tranquilizers, and other pain medications may be dangerous due to the risk of interactions of these medications that can result in injury or death. You should speak with your physician before taking any other medicines with OxyContin. You should also tell your physician about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and dietary supplements/herbal remedies that you are taking before starting OxyContin.

Can I drink an alcoholic beverage while I am using OxyContin for pain relief?

You should not drink any beverage that contains alcohol while you are taking OxyContin. This includes beer, wine, and all distilled liquors. OxyContin and alcoholic beverages may have dangerous interactions that can result in serious injury or death.

Will I become addicted to OxyContin if I take it every day?

OxyContin is only intended for moderate to severe pain that is present on a daily basis and that requires a very strong pain reliever. Patients with this type of severe pain condition require daily pain treatment. Taking OxyContin daily can result in physical dependence, a condition in which the body shows signs of narcotic withdrawal if the OxyContin is stopped suddenly. This is not the same thing as addiction, which represents a situation in which people obtain and take narcotics because of a psychological need, and not just to treat a legitimate painful condition. Physical dependence can be treated under the advice of a physician by slowing decreasing the OxyContin dose when it is no longer needed for the treatment of pain. Concerns of addiction should not prevent patients with appropriate pain conditions from using OxyContin or other narcotics for pain relief.

What should I do when I no longer need the OxyContin for pain relief?

When you no longer need OxyContin, the dose should be gradually reduced so that you do not feel sick with withdrawal symptoms. You should ask your physician for a plan on how to gradually decrease the dose and when to stop the OxyContin.

Can I take OxyContin if I am pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or planning to nurse my baby?

You should speak to your physician about the effects of drugs like OxyContin on an unborn or newborn child.

Are there any other special precautions I should take with my OxyContin?

Because there is a large dose of medication in each OxyContin tablet, you must be very careful to keep OxyContin stored in a secure location, out of the reach of children. When you no longer need OxyContin for pain relief, you should flush the unused tablets down the toilet.

More Information on OxyContin

OxyContin Information: FDA Strengthens Warnings for OxyContin

FDA.gov – Updated June 26, 2006

Prescription Drugs: OxyContin Abuse and Diversion and Efforts to Address the Problem (PDF)

U.S. General Accounting Office – Jan 22, 2004