Pain killers, or analgesics, are essential medications for pain sufferers. Many types are available. The analgesics that begin with "oxy" are oxycodone and oxymorphone. They belong to a class of drugs known as opiods, or narcotics. They are classified as controlled substances by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration because of their high potential for abuse. Both are prescribed for moderate to severe pain.
Oxymorphone
Oxymorphone is the generic name for the brand-name drugs Opana and Opana ER. It is a synthetic narcotic analgesic used to treat moderate and severe pain. Oxymorphone is available in short-acting tablets, extended release tablets and injection, according to the book "Palliative Care Consultant" by Phyllis Grauer, et al. The most common side effects are nausea, constipation and dizzines. Other side effects include vomiting, itching, headache, fatigue, slow breathing, drowsiness and difficulty urinating. The extended-release tablets must never be chewed, crushed or broken because a large amount of medication is rapidly released, which can be fatal. Signs of an overdose include stupor or coma, cold and clammy skin, constricted pupils, and slow pulse and breathing. Death can occur from cardiac or respiratory arrest.
Oxycodone
Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic narcotic analgesic similar to morphine, according to Qualitest Pharmaceuticals. Brand names of drugs containing oxycodone in the U.S. include OxyContin, Roxicodone, Oxyfast, Dazidox, Eth-Oxydose, OxyIR and Percocet. Oxyfast is a highly-concentrated liquid form of oxycodone, taken by mouth, that rapidly relieves pain. OxyContin is an extended-release tablet designed to slowly release oxycodone over 12 hours, and it must never be chewed, crushed or broken because of a rapid release of medication that could be fatal. Warnings for oxycodone include the potential for respiratory depression and low blood pressure. The most common side effects are constipation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lethargy and headache.
OxyContin Diversion
Many fatal overdoses have resulted from abuse of extended-release narcotic pain killers. OxyContin is the most commonly abused. These drugs are usually taken from patients by friends and family, according to the FDA. Abuse of extended-release narcotics poses unique risks due to the rapid release of the drug when tablets are crushed and then ingested, snorted or injected. OxyContin and other extended-release narcotics are very effective for relieving pain when used as directed.
Because of this, in 2010 the FDA voted down a measure designed to curb abuse through mandatory physician education, due to concern for physicians opting-out of the program because of time-consuming requirements. Since they would no longer being allowed to prescribe these drugs, there was concern that pain sufferers would be deprived of an effective treatment. In an attempt to reduce abuse, a new formula of OxyContin was developed that cannot be chewed, crushed or broken.
References
- MSN.com: FDA Panels Reject Plan to Curb Opioid Painkiller Abuse
- Drugs.com: Qualitest Pharmaceuticals: Oxycodone
- Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association: Pharmacology Update: Warning: Do Not Crush
- "Palliative Care Consultant"; Phyllis Grauer, John Shuster, Bridget McCrate Protus; 2008
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA Approves New Formulation for OxyContin
