Painkillers containing hydrocodone are typically the most commonly prescribed in the United States, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently recommended tightening the regulations surrounding prescriptions for the drug to be similar to those containing oxycodone.
According to a story in the New York Times, popular brand name drugs such as Vicodin and Lortab would be affected by a change in the regulations, which could take place as early as the first of the year. This wold require people to present themselves at a pharmacy, rather than having a doctor’s office call it in, and it would also limit the number of pills begin given.
Nationwide there has been a heavy focus on finding ways to combat prescription drug abuse, especially narcotic painkillers. Many states have changed laws regarding the sale and distribution of these powerfully addictive drugs. The problem rose to become an epidemic over the past decade or more, with overdose deaths from medications outnumbering those of street drugs.
This announcement comes during the same week where the FDA approved the sale and distribution of a new extended-releasd drug containing hydrocodone to treat long-term chronic pain.
It is vitally important for people to realize that just because it comes from a doctor in a pill bottle doesn’t necessarily mean it is going to be a safer drug to take. Prescriptions can be just as harmful as illicit substances, and even more so in some cases.
If you know someone who needs help for a problem with prescription painkillers, contact Desert Cove Recovery today.
