Oxycodone 22799 225893204 2008-07-15T22:05:08Z ClueBot 4928500 Reverting possible vandalism by [[Special:Contributions/71.112.111.204|71.112.111.204]] to version by 68.49.115.163. False positive? [[User:ClueBot/FalsePositives|Report it]]. Thanks, [[User:ClueBot]]. (441015) (Bot) {{Mergefrom|Percodan|date=March 2008}} {{Cleanup|date=November 2007}} {{distinguish|oxytocin}} {{drugbox | IUPAC_name = 4, 5-epoxy-14-hydroxy-3- methoxy-17-methylmorphinan-6-one | image = Oxycodone.png | width = 155 | CAS_number = 76-42-6 | ATC_prefix = N02 | ATC_suffix = AA05 | ATC_supplemental = | PubChem = 5284603 | DrugBank = APRD00387 | C=18 | H=21 | N=1 | O=4 | molecular_weight = 315.364 g/mol | smiles = COc1ccc2C[C@@H]3N(C)CC[C@@]45[C@@H](Oc1c24)C(=O)CC[C@@]35O | bioavailability = Up to 87% | protein_bound = 45% | metabolism = Hepatic (CYP450: 2D6 substrate) | elimination_half-life = 3 - 4.5 hours | pregnancy_category = B/D (prolonged use or in high doses at term) | legal_AU = S8 | legal_CA = Schedule I | legal_UK = Class A | legal_US = Schedule II | legal_status = | routes_of_administration = Oral, intramuscular, intravenous, intranasally, subcutaneous, transdermal, rectal | dependency_liability = Moderate - High | excretion = Urine (19% unchanged) }} '''Oxycodone''' is an [[opioid]] [[analgesic]] [[medication]] synthesized from [[thebaine]]. It was developed in 1916 in Germany, as one of several new semi-synthetic opioids with several benefits over the older traditional opiates and opioids; [[morphine]], [[diacetylmorphine]] and [[codeine]]. It was introduced to the pharmaceutical market as '''Eukodal''' or '''Eucodal''' and '''Dinarkon'''. Its chemical name is derived from codeine - the chemical structures are very similar, differing only in that the hydroxyl group of codeine has been oxidized to a carbonyl group (as in [[ketones]]), hence the "-one" suffix, the 7,8-dihydro-feature (codeine has a double-bond between those two carbons), and the hydroxyl group at carbon-14 (codeine has just a hydrogen in its place), hence '''oxy'''codone. In the United States, oxycodone is a Schedule II [[Controlled Substances Act|controlled substance]] both as a single agent and in combination with products containing [[paracetamol]] (aka [[acetaminophen]]), [[ibuprofen]] or [[aspirin]]. It was first introduced to the US market in May 1939 and is the active ingredient in a number of pain medications commonly prescribed for the relief of moderate to heavy [[pain]], either with inert binders (oxycodone, '''OxyContin''') or supplemental analgesics such as acetaminophen ('''Percocet''', '''Endocet''', '''Tylox''', '''Roxicet''') and aspirin ('''Percodan''', '''Endodan''', '''Roxiprin''' ). It is also sold in a sustained-release form by [[Mundipharma]] in Germany ('''Oxygesic'''), and in the United States by [[Purdue Pharma]] under the trade name '''OxyContin''' ('''Oxy'''codone '''Contin'''uous release) as well as generic equivalents, and instant-release forms '''Endone''', '''OxyIR''', '''OxyNorm''', '''Percolone''', '''OxyFAST''', '''Supeudol''', and '''Roxicodone'''. More recently, [[ibuprofen]] has been added to oxycodone ('''Combunox'''). Oxycodone is a drug subject to abuse.<ref name="trends">{{cite journal |author=Cicero TJ, Inciardi JA, Muñoz A |title=Trends in abuse of Oxycontin and other opioid analgesics in the United States: 2002-2004 |journal=[[J Pain]] |volume=6 |issue=10 |pages=662–72 |year=2005 |month=October |pmid=16202959 |doi=10.1016/j.jpain.2005.05.004 |url=http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1526-5900(05)00656-5}}</ref><ref name="nsw">{{cite journal| last =Seidler| first =Raymond| title =Prescription Drug Abuse| journal =Current Therapeutics| date =July 2002| url =http://www.nswrdn.com.au/client_images/6700.pdf| accessdate =2008-05-18}}</ref> The drug is included in the sections for the most strongly controlled substances that have a commonly accepted medical use, including the German Betäubungsmittelgesetz III (narcotics law), the [[Switzerland|Swiss]] law of the same title, [[United Kingdom|UK]] [[Misuse of Drugs Act]] (Class A), [[Canada|Canadian]] Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), [[Netherlands|Dutch]] Opium Law (List 1), [[Austria]]n Suchtmittelgesetz (Addictives Act), and others. It is also subject to international treaties controlling psychoactive drugs subject to abuse or dependence. The abuse of OxyContin and its generic equivalents has greatly increased since the introduction of the sustained-release form of oxycodone. Illegal distribution of OxyContin occurs through pharmacy diversion, physicians, "[[doctor shopping]]," faked prescriptions, and robbery, all of which divert the pharmaceutical onto the illicit market. In Australia alone during 1999 and 2000, more than 260,000 prescriptions for narcotics and codeine-based medications were written to almost 9,000 known abusers at a cost of more than $750,000 AUD.<ref name="nsw"/> Purdue Pharma and its top executives pleaded guilty to felony charges that they misbranded and misled physicians and the public by claiming OxyContin was less likely to be abused, less addictive, and less likely to cause withdrawal symptoms.<ref name="legal">{{cite web| last =O'Brien| first =John| title =Purdue pleads out, will pay $634 million in fines| work =LegalNewsline.com| date =2007-05-10| url =http://www.legalnewsline.com/news/194919-purdue-pleads-guilty-will-pay-634-million-in-fines| accessdate =2008-05-18}}</ref> The company also paid millions in fines relating to aggressive off-label marketing practices in several states.<ref name="arizona">{{cite news | author =Staff writer| title =Drugmaker to pay $19.5 mil to settle OxyContin lawsuit| work =[[Arizona Republic]]| publisher =[[Associated Press]]| date =2007-05-09| url =http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0509biz-oxycontin0509.html| accessdate =2008-05-18}}</ref> ==Chemistry== Oxycodone is commercially made from [[thebaine]], an [[opiate]] alkaloid and minor component of [[opium]].<ref name="thebaine">{{cite web| title =Oxycodone Addiction| work =addictionsearch.com| date =2007-02-08|.</ref>{{Fact|date=September 2007}} [[Image:Oxy512.jpg|thumb|left|Two 5mg oxycodone/[[paracetamol|APAP]] tablets.]] The chemical structure of oxycodone is the methylether of [[oxymorphone]]: 3-methyl-oxymorphone. It could also be described as 14-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-[[codeinone]]. It is principally supplied as its hydrochloride salt: oxycodone hydrochloride. The terephtalate salt of oxycodone is present in some formulations such as Percodan as 7.6 per cent of the weight of the oxycodone salts content of the product, viz. 5 mg of oxycodone in Percodan is 4.62 mg hydrochloride and 0.38 mg terephtlalate. There does not appear to be a significant difference in the action of the salts. The hydrochloride-terephtalate mixture appears to be part of the original formulation of Percodan by its German manufacturers from more than 75 years ago.{{Fact|date=September 2007}} Other oxycodone salts used around the world include the phosphate, sulfate, pectinate, tartrate, bitartrate, citrate and iodide. ==Side effects== The most commonly reported effects include [[constipation]], fatigue, [[dizziness]], [[nausea]], [[lightheadedness]], [[headache]], dry mouth, [[pruritus]], and [[diaphoresis]]. It has also claimed to cause dimness in vision due to [[Miosis]]. Some patients have also experienced loss of appetite, nervousness, [[euphoria]], [[anxiety]], abdominal pain, [[diarrhea]], [[dyspnea]], and [[hiccups]],<ref name="insert"/> although these symptoms appear in less than 5% of patients taking oxycodone. Rarely, the drug can cause [[impotence]], enlarged [[prostate gland]], and decreased [[testosterone]] secretion.<ref name="thebaine"/> In high doses, overdoses, or in patients not tolerant to opiates, oxycodone can cause shallow breathing, [[bradycardia]], cold, clammy skin, [[apnea]], [[hypotension]], [[pupil constriction]], circulatory collapse, [[respiratory arrest]], and death.<ref name="insert"/> ==Dosage and administration== Oxycodone can be administered orally, intranasally, via [[intravenous]]/[[intramuscular]]/[[subcutaneous]] injection, or [[suppository|rectally]]. The [[bioavailability]] of oral administration averages 60-87%, with rectal administration yielding the same results. Injecting oxycodone will result in a stronger effect and quicker onset. [[Image:Oxycont.jpg|thumb|left|Oxycontin tablets of varying dosage.]] Percocet tablets, oxycodone with [[acetaminophen]] (paracetamol), are routinely prescribed for post-operative pain control. Tablets are available with 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 or 15 mg of oxycodone and varying amounts of acetaminophen. Oxycodone is also used in treatment of moderate to severe chronic pain. Both immediate-release and sustained-release oxycodone are now available (OxyNorm and OxyContin in the UK). There are no comparative trials showing that oxycodone is more effective than any other [[opioid]]. In [[palliative care]], [[morphine]] remains the gold standard.<ref name="calman"/> However, it can be useful as an alternative opioid if a patient has troublesome adverse effects with morphine. OxyNorm is available in 5, 10, and 20 mg capsules and tablets; also as a 1 mg/1 ml liquid in 250 ml bottles and as a 10 mg/1 ml concentrated liquid in 100 ml bottles. Available in Europe and other areas outside the United States, Proladone suppositories contain 15 mg of oxycodone pectinate and other suppository strengths under this and other trade names are less frequently encountered. Injectable oxycodone hydrochloride or tartrate is available in ampoules and multi-dose vials in many European countries and to a lesser extent various places in the Pacific Rim. For this purpose, the most common trade names are '''Eukodol''' and '''Eucodol'''. Roxicodone is a generically made oxycodone product designed to have an immediate release effect for rapid pain relief, and is available in 5 (white), 15 (green), and 30 (light blue) [[Milligram|mg]] tablets. Generic versions of Roxicodone may differ in color from the brand name tablets. OxyContin is available in 10 mg (white), 20 mg (pink), 40 mg (yellow), and 80 mg (green) in the U.S. and Canada, and 160 mg (blue) in Canada only. Because of its sustained-release mechanism, the medication is typically effective for eight to twelve hours.<ref name="insert">{{cite web| last =Rappaport| first =Bob| title =Package Insert: OxyContin| publisher =[[Food and Drug Administration]]| date =2006-09-18| url =http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2006/020553s056lbl.pdf| format =PDF| accessdate =2008-05-18}}</ref> The 160 mg tablets were removed from sale due to problems with overdose, but have been re-introduced for limited use under strict medical supervision. On [[October 18]] [[2006]], the FDA gave approval for four new dosage strengths, to wit, 15, 30, 45, and 60 mg. Oxycontin is made of pure oxycodone hydrochloride. Nevertheless, an 80 mg Oxycontin has a mass of approximately 260 mg (not including the navy-colored coating) due to other compounds. Generic OxyContin was introduced in 2005 (80 mg) and 2006 (10, 20, and 40 mg). However, because of numerous law suits related to the addictive and abuse potential of the medicine, generic manufacture (alternatively reported as "except by Dava") ceased on December 31, 2007. Because of stockpiled inventory, generic OxyContin is still available, albeit infrequently, as of May 2008. The controlled (sustained)-release preparations are essential to provide a background plasma level of analgesia in anyone with persistent pain. The immediate release preparations are useful for breakthrough pain, which can break through the controlled-release baseline medication. There are no trials to show that one manufacturer produces a more effective oxycodone product than any other. ==History== {{Refimprovesect|date=August 2007}} Oxycodone is an opiate analgesic, and as such is a variation on an ancient theme beginning with the simple consumption or smoking of the alkaloid-bearing parts of ''Papaver somniferum'', the [[opium poppy]], first cultivated circa 3400 BC in lower [[Mesopotamia]]. Ancient [[Persia]]ns, [[Sumeria]]ns, [[Assyria]]ns, [[Babylonia]]ns, and [[Egyptian]]s found that smoking the extract derived from the seed pods yielded a pleasurable, peaceful feeling throughout the body. The Sumerians called the poppy plant "Hul Gil" or "joy plant". Cultivation and use spread quickly to the rest of the [[Persian Gulf]], [[Levant]] and the [[Arabian Peninsula]], eventually reaching [[India]] and [[China]]. Oxycodone was first synthesized in a German laboratory in 1916, a few years after the German pharmaceutical company [[Bayer]] had stopped the mass production of [[heroin]] due to addiction and abuse by both patients and physicians. It was hoped that a thebaine-derived drug would retain the analgesic effects of morphine and heroin with less of the euphoric effect which led to addiction and over use. To some extent this was achieved, as oxycodone does not "hit" the central nervous system with the same immediate punch as heroin or morphine and it does not last as long. The subjective experience of a "high" was still reported for oxycodone, however, and it made its way into medical usage in small increments in most Western countries until the introduction of high strength preparations with inert (inactive) binders radically boosted oxycodone use.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} The introduction of these higher strength preparations in 1995 resulted in increasing patterns of abuse.<ref name="trends"/> Unlike Percocet, whose potential for abuse is somewhat limited by the presence of [[paracetamol]] ([[acetaminophen]]), OxyContin and other extended release preparations, contains only oxycodone and inert filler. Abusers simply crush the tablets, then either ingest the resulting powder orally, intranasally, via [[intravenous]], [[intramuscular]], or [[subcutaneous]] injection (by dissolving the powder), or rectally to achieve rapid absorption into the bloodstream. The tablets' coatings are removed, and they are crushed or chopped up by abusers to disable the time-release properties of the tablet, which allows the entire dose to "hit" the abuser at once. This rapid onset of the entire dose, or "hit", is referred to as "the rush" by drug abusers. This "rush" delivers a feeling of, what is described by abusers as, a "blissful apathy" and state of well-being, accompanied by a powerful and alluring euphoria. Injection of oxycodone directly into the bloodstream produces the most intense effects. Injection of OxyContin is also particularly dangerous since it contains binders which enable the time release of the drug. The vast majority of OxyContin-related deaths are attributed to ingesting substantial quantities of oxycodone in combination with another depressant of the central nervous system such as [[ethanol|alcohol]] or [[benzodiazepines]].<ref> {{cite web| url=http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugs_concern/oxycodone/oxycontin7.htm | title=Summary of Medical Examiner Reports on Oxycodone-Related Deaths| work =[[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA Office of Diversion Control]]| publisher =[[United States Department of Justice]]|accessdate =2008-05-18 }}</ref> Oxycodone is a highly publicized and known drug to the general public. However, it is also widely misunderstood, and many people lack factual knowledge about the drug. The discovery of its recreational benefits has led to an illicit underground market. Due to acts such as pharmacy diversion and "[[doctor shopping]]", the drug is widely available to those without a prescription in some areas.<ref name="nsw"/> The increased misuse of the drug has led to a higher number of emergency department mentions and deaths associated with oxycodone. Between 1994 and 2001, there was a reported 352% increase in ER visits related to all forms of oxycodone usage.<ref name="Beardsley">{{cite journal |author=Beardsley PM, Aceto MD, Cook CD, Bowman ER, Newman JL, Harris LS |title=Discriminative stimulus, reinforcing, physical dependence, and antinociceptive effects of oxycodone in mice, rats, and rhesus monkeys |journal=[[Exp Clin Psychopharmacol]] |volume=12 |issue=3 |pages=163–72 |year=2004 |month=August |pmid=15301633 |doi=10.1037/1064-1297.12.3.163 |url=http://content.apa.org/journals/pha/12/3/163 |accessdate=2008-05-18}}</ref> The increase of these illegal methods of obtainment coincides with the increase in the illegal use of this drug. The oxycodone contained in OxyContin produces typical opiate effects, and is, by some, considered a "reasonable substitute" for heroin, so much so that OxyContin is sometimes referred to as "hillbilly heroin". The most commonly diverted dosages are the 40mg and 80mg strengths. ==Clinical use== In [[palliative care]], oxycodone is viewed as a second line opioid to [[morphine]], like [[hydromorphone]] and [[fentanyl]]. There is no evidence that any [[opioids]] are superior to morphine in relieving the pain of cancer, and no controlled trials have shown oxycodone to be superior to morphine.<ref name="calman">{{cite book| editors =Calman K. Doyle D, Hanks G, Editors| title =Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine| publisher =[[Oxford University Press]]| year =1999| location =[[Oxford]]| isbn =0192625667 }}</ref> However, switching to an alternative opioid can be useful if adverse effects are troublesome, although the switch can be in either direction, ie. some patients have fewer adverse effects on switching from morphine to oxycodone (or hydromorphone or fentanyl), while others do better on switching to morphine. Oxycodone has the disadvantage of accumulating in patients with renal and hepatic impairment. In addition, and unlike morphine and hydromorphone, it is metabolised by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system in the liver, making it vulnerable to drug interactions.<ref name="insert"/> It is metabolised to the very active (but non-analgesic) oxymorphone,<ref name="kalso">{{cite journal| last =Kalso| first =E.| title =Oxycodone| journal =Journal of Pain & Symptom Management| volume =29| issue =5| pages =47–56| date =May 2005| doi =10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2005.01.010}}</ref> and some people are fast metabolisers resulting in reduced analgesic effect but increased adverse effects, while others are slow metabolisers resulting in increased toxicity without improved analgesia.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Gasche Y, Daali Y, Fathi M, ''et al'' |title=Codeine intoxication associated with ultrarapid CYP2D6 metabolism |journal=[[N. Engl. J. Med.]] |volume=351 |issue=27 |pages=2827–31 |year=2004 |month=December |pmid=15625333 |doi=10.1056/NEJMoa041888 |url=http://content.nejm.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=short&pmid=15625333&promo=ONFLNS19}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Otton SV, Wu D, Joffe RT, Cheung SW, Sellers EM |title=Inhibition by fluoxetine of cytochrome P450 2D6 activity |journal=[[Clin. Pharmacol. Ther.]] |volume=53 |issue=4 |pages=401–9 |year=1993 |month=April |pmid=8477556}}</ref> These factors make the effects of oxycodone less predictable than opioids such as morphine or [[hydromorphone]]. ==Manufacture and patents== {{Refimprovesect|date=August 2007}} [[Image:Oxycodone varieties.jpg|frame|left|Formulations containing oxycodone and other analgesics.]] An extended-release formulation of oxycodone, OxyContin, was first introduced to the US market by [[Purdue]] upheld a decision from the previous year that some of Purdue’s patents for OxyContin could not be enforced.<ref>{{cite court|litigants = Purdue Pharma L.P. v. Endo Pharms. Inc|vol = 410|reporter =F.3d |opinion = 690|pinpoint = |court = Fed.Cir.|date = 2005-06-07}}</ref> This decision allowed and led to the immediate announcement from Endo Pharmaceutical Holdings, Inc. that they would begin launching a generic version of all four strengths of OxyContin.<ref>{{cite press release | title =Purdue Comments on Federal Court of Appeal Decision on OxyContin Patent Litigation | publisher =[[Purdue Pharma]] | date =2005-06-08 | url =http://www.pharma.com/pressroom/news/20050608.htm| accessdate =2008-05-18}}</ref> Purdue, however, had already made negotiations with another pharmaceutical company (IVAX Pharmaceuticals) to distribute their brand OxyContin in a generic form. This contract was severed, and currently Watson Pharmaceuticals is the exclusive U.S. distributor of the generic versions of OxyContin tablets. The agreement stipulates that "Purdue will manufacture and supply oxycodone HCI controlled-release tablets to Watson, which will market, sell, and distribute the authorized generic product in 10, 20, 40, and 80 milligram dosages in the United States".<ref>{{cite press release | title =Purdue Appoints Watson Pharmaceuticals Exclusive Distributor of Authorized Generic Versions of OxyContin Tablets | publisher =[[Purdue Pharma]] | date =2005-10-28 | url =http://www.pharma.com/pressroom/news/20051028.htm | accessdate =2008-05-18}}</ref> On [[February 1]], [[2006]], the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals issued a revised decision that affirmed-in-part, vacated-in-part, and remanded-in-part their prior decision.<ref>{{cite court|litigants = Purdue Pharma L.P. v. Endo Pharms. Inc.|vol = 438|reporter = F.3d|opinion = 1123 |court = Fed.Cir.|date = 2006-02-01|url=http://www.fedcir.gov/opinions/04-1189.pdf }}</ref> The court concluded, "The trial court's judgment that the patents-in-suit are unenforceable due to inequitable conduct is vacated, and the case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. The trial court's judgment of infringement is affirmed." Purdue Pharma has since announced resolution of its infringement suits with Endo,<ref>{{cite press release | title =Purdue Pharma L.P. Announces Resolution of OxyContin® Patent Lawsuit with Endo Pharmaceuticals | publisher =[[Purdue Pharma]] | date =2006-08-28 | url =http://www.purduepharma.com/pressroom/news/20060828-1.htm | accessdate =2008-05-18}}</ref> Teva,<ref>{{cite press release | title =Purdue Pharma L.P. Announces Signing of Consent Judgment Ending OxyContin® Tablets Patent Lawsuit with Teva Pharmaceuticals | publisher =[[Purdue Pharma]] | date =2006-10-16 | url =http://www.purduepharma.com/pressroom/news/20061016.htm | accessdate =2008-05-18}}</ref> and IMPAX.<ref>{{cite press release | title =Purdue Pharma L.P. Announces Agreement to End OxyContin® Patent Lawsuit with IMPAX Laboratories | publisher =[[Purdue Pharma]] | date =2007-04-02 | url =http://www.purduepharma.com/pressroom/news/20070402.htm | accessdate =2008-05-18}}</ref> Endo and Teva each agreed to cease selling generic forms of OxyContin, while IMPAX negotiated a temporary, and potentially renewable, license. Since the drug is a controlled substance, a prescription is required to obtain it, and is shown to be most frequently prescribed in the eastern United States. Purdue Pharma also exports OxyContin to wholesale distributors in Mexico and Canada. However, they have experienced increasing levels of illicit drug trafficking with the distribution outside of the U.S. that has led to certain responsive actions. The pill exported to Mexico is stamped with the letters "EX" instead of the customary "OC," and similarly the pills to Canada read "CDN" Purdue stopped exporting to Canada in 2001, and instead Canada imports the drug from a manufacturer in England. Despite these problems, OxyContin is one of the leading opioid painkillers on the market. In 2001, OxyContin was the highest sold drug of its kind, and in 2000, over 6.5 million prescriptions were written.<ref name="drugpolicy">{{cite web| title =OxyContin| work =drugpolicy.org| publisher =[[Drug Policy Alliance]]| url =http://www.drugpolicy.org/drugbydrug/oxycontin/| accessdate =2008-05-18}}</ref> ==Regulation== Regulation of oxycodone (and opioids in general) differs according to country, with different places focusing on different parts of the "supply chain". In Australia, a General Practitioner can prescribe for short term treatment without consulting another practitioner or government body. Ongoing treatment requires approval from their state Health Department. Only twenty tablets are normally available per prescription on the [[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme]], Australia's government-funded pharmaceutical insurance system, but a patient can potentially get up to sixty tablets for as little as $4.90AUD. Prescriptions for larger quantities require prior approval from [[Medicare Australia]]. These prescriptions (i.e. for chronic pain or cancer patients) require the prescriber to have referred the patient to another medical practitioner to confirm the need for ongoing treatment with narcotic analgesics. Pharmacists must record all incoming purchases of oxycodone products, and maintain a register of all prescription sales for inspection by their state Health Department on request. In addition details of all Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme prescriptions for oxycodone are sent to Medicare Australia. This data allows Medicare Australia to assist prescribers to identify doctor-shoppers via a telephone hotline. In Canada, oxycodone is a controlled substance under Schedule I of the [[Controlled Drugs and Substances Act]] (CDSA). Every person who seeks or obtains the substance without disclosing authorization to obtain such substances 30 days prior to obtaining another prescription from a practitioner is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years. Possession for purpose of trafficking is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life. In the United States, regulation of prescription drugs comes from several different areas. The [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) approves drugs for medical use, as well as sets regulations for the marketing of drugs, including controlled substances. The [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] (DEA) on the other hand, receives its regulatory authority from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) [21 U.S.C. §§ 801-971], which "mandates that DEA prevent, detect and investigate the diversion of legally manufactured controlled substances while, at the same time, ensuring that there are adequate supplies to meet the legitimate medical needs in the United States".<ref name="oxy faq">{{cite web| title =OxyContin FAQs| work =[[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA Office of Diversion Control]]| publisher =[[United States Department of Justice]]| url =http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugs_concern/oxycodone/oxycontin_faq.htm | accessdate =2008-05-18}}</ref> Part of the regulation of prescription drugs is connected to their marketing and advertising. The FDA has authority over this sector under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act and its implementing regulations. The Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising, and Communications (DDMAC) is "responsible for regulating prescription drug advertising and promotion," and has a "mission to protect the public health by ensuring that prescription drug information is truthful, balanced, and accurately communicated".<ref name="jenkins">{{cite web| last =Jenkins| first =John K.| title =OxyContin: Balancing Risks and Benefits| work =Statement Before U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions| publisher =[[Food and Drug Administration]]| date =2002-02-12| url =http://www.fda.gov/ola/2002/oxycontin0212.html| accessdate =2008-05-18}}</ref> Simplified, Oxycodone is a schedule II controlled substance, which means to be filled there must be a written prescription which cannot have refills, nor can it be called in to a pharmacy by a physician. In Germany, only physicians (''Ärzte'') can prescribe Oxycodone which is sold by Mundipharma as Oxygesic. These physicians need to have a special BtM (Betäubungsmittel/English: Controlled Substance) number. Not all physicians have BtM numbers. BtM prescriptions are handled very cautiously and the central Federal Opium Bureau (''Bundesopiumstelle'') records all traffic. The BtM prescription has a different appearance from a regular prescription and includes three copies; one for the prescribing physician, one for the pharmacy and one for the BOP. Currently, 100 x 40mg Oxygesic tablets cost around €410, but through mandatory health insurance this is mostly reduced to €10. Oxygesic is sold as 10mg, 20mg, 40mg and 80mg tablets. In [[Hong Kong]], oxycodone is regulated under Schedule 1 of Hong Kong's Chapter 134 ''Dangerous Drugs Ordinance''. It can only be used legally by health professionals and for university research purposes. The substance can be given by pharmacists under a prescription. Anyone who supplies the substance without a prescription can be fined $10,000(HKD). The penalty for trafficking or manufacturing the substance is a $5,000,000 ([[Hong Kong dollar|HKD]]) fine and/or life imprisonment. Possession of the substance for consumption without license from the Department of Health is illegal with a $1,000,000 (HKD) fine and/or 7 years of jail time. ==OxyContin misbranding and fraud== [[Image:Photo 041908 002.jpg|thumb|A bottle of 100 Oxycodone 10/325 will often sell at a vastly inflated price compared to its purchase cost.]] Critics have accused Purdue of putting profits ahead of public interest by understating or ignoring the addictive potential of the drug.<ref name="state">{{cite news | last =Bauerlein| first =Valerie| title =Popular Painkiller Mired in Controversy| work =[[The State (newspaper)|The State]]| format =reprint| date =2001-09-23| url =http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1702/a06.html| accessdate =2008-05-18}}</ref><ref name="newsweek">{{cite news | last =Rosenberg| first =Debra| title =Drugs: Profits vs. Pain Relief| work =[[Newsweek]]| format =reprint| date =2001-07-02| url =http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1124/a04.html| accessdate =2008-05-18}}</ref><ref name="roanoke">{{cite news| title =Editorial: Selling Drugs Legally, But Not Always Safely| work =[[Roanoke Times]]| format =reprint| date =2001-06-13| url =http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1052/a08.html| accessdate =2008-05-18 }}</ref> On [[May 10]] [[2007]], Purdue Pharma pled guilty to felony charges that they purposely misbranded the painkiller OxyContin with intent to mislead and defraud, and three top executives pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of misbranding. The company and the three executives, Michael Friedman, Howard Udell, and Paul D. Goldenheim, will pay a total of more than $634.5 million in fines and penalties. Purdue Pharma and the three executives have admitted that Purdue Pharma fraudulently marketed OxyContin by falsely claiming that OxyContin was less addictive, less subject to abuse, and less likely to cause withdrawal symptoms than other pain medications though there was no FDA approval of these claims.<ref name="reuters">{{cite news | last =Chasan| first =Emily| title =Purdue Frederick Pleads Guilty in OxyContin Case| publisher =[[Reuters]]| date =2007-05-10| url =http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=USWBT00695020070510| accessdate =2008-05-18 }}</ref> Purdue Pharma also settled accusations regarding its promotion of OxyContin by paying $19.5 million to 26 states and the [[District of Columbia]]. The states complained that Purdue was encouraging physicians to prescribe the 12-hour time release drug for use every 8 hours, contrary to the dosage approved by the FDA.<ref name="arizona"/> ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== *[http://gsm.about.com/compact/showpics.asp?monotype=full&cpnum=457&r=6078&gname=Oxycodone Images of various preparations of Oxycodone and Oxycodone controlled release] * [http://www.minervamedica.it/pdf/R02Y2005/R02Y2005N07A0451.pdf Oxycodone: Pharmacological profile and clinical data in chronic pain management] ''minervamedica.it.'' Minerva Anestesiologica, 2005;71:451-60. * [http://www.drugs.com/pdr/percocet_tablets.html Percocet Drug Information] from Thomson Healthcare database * [http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSWBT00695020070510?src=051007_1225_DOUBLEFEATURE_ Oxycontin makers and executives plead guilty to coverup of dangers and addictive qualities] * [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/17/magazine/17pain-t.html?pagewanted=1 "When Is a Pain Doctor a Drug Pusher?' New York Times 6-17-2007] * [http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2008/reports/drug-deaths/index.shtml 'Deadly Combinations' St. Petersburg Times 2-17-08] {{Opioids}} {{Analgesics}} [[Category:Opioids]] [[Category:Morphinans]] [[Category:Semisynthetic opioids]] [[de:Oxycodon]] [[es:Oxicodona]] [[fr:Oxycodone]] [[it:Ossicodone]] [[hu:Oxikodon]] [[nl:Oxycodon]] [[ja:オキシコドン]] [[no:Oksykodon]] [[pl:Oksykodon]] [[simple:Oxycodone]] [[fi:Oksikodoni]] [[sv:Oxykodon]] [[th:ออกซิโคโดน]]