2008 Woodie Awards
Prescription drugs deadlier than illegal ones
Letter to the Editor
Stephen G. Gelfand, MD; Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: Editorial
- Page 1 of 1
The Nov. 8 article "Prescription Drug Abuse Produces Adverse Effects" by Joey Flis was valuable and timely in helping to "break the silence" about a very destructive epidemic impacting our society.
This epidemic has also affected many young people.
In regards to OxyContin, it should be realized that most deaths from this potent time-released narcotic have occurred from swallowing it whole, especially if taken with alcohol, and not just from breaking, crushing or grinding the pill.
Also, the actual mounting mortality statistics from prescription opiates needs to be recognized.
In just Florida alone during the year 2006, the Office of the Florida medical examiners reported more than 4,000 prescription opioid-related deaths, with 923 from oxycodone, the active ingredient in OxyContin, 974 from methadone and 731 from hydrocodone the opioid in Vicodin and Lortabs.The majority of patients who die from these drugs are given prescriptions for them.
Although not infrequently "one pill can kill," especially in young people trying OxyContin for the first time. Compare this to 96 deaths from heroin, 456 from Xanax and 829 from cocaine during the same time frame.
More information can be found at www.fda.gov.
This epidemic has also affected many young people.
In regards to OxyContin, it should be realized that most deaths from this potent time-released narcotic have occurred from swallowing it whole, especially if taken with alcohol, and not just from breaking, crushing or grinding the pill.
Also, the actual mounting mortality statistics from prescription opiates needs to be recognized.
In just Florida alone during the year 2006, the Office of the Florida medical examiners reported more than 4,000 prescription opioid-related deaths, with 923 from oxycodone, the active ingredient in OxyContin, 974 from methadone and 731 from hydrocodone the opioid in Vicodin and Lortabs.The majority of patients who die from these drugs are given prescriptions for them.
Although not infrequently "one pill can kill," especially in young people trying OxyContin for the first time. Compare this to 96 deaths from heroin, 456 from Xanax and 829 from cocaine during the same time frame.
More information can be found at www.fda.gov.
