Rates of Opioid Dispensing and Overdose after Introduction of Abuse-deterrent Extended-release Oxycodone and Withdrawal of Propoxyphene

Prescription opiate and heroin overdose has been a growing public health problem over the last 20 years. Between 1999 and 2010, prescription opioid overdose deaths quadrupled in parallel with increases in prescription opioid sales. Strong associations between prescription opioid supply and prescription opioid overdose have been demonstrated. One might hypothesize that supply-based interventions would curb opioid overdose overall, but some have hypothesized that a reduction in the prescription opioid supply may lead opioid-dependent patients to substitute alternative opioids such as heroin.
Source: The Journal of Emergency Medicine - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Abstract Source Type: research