Is it a Risky Move to Conduct Trials of OxyCotin on Children?
Purdue Pharma, manufacturers of OxyCotin, has begun trials on the effects of the drug on children. In the light of the addictive properties of OxyCotin, some are questioning the wisdom of this. What do you think?
With the patent about to wear off in 2013, OxyContin’s manufacturer, Purdue Pharma, is in the process of testing the medicine in children.
An ABC News story reported that the tests would secure an extra six months of protection for the drug’s patent. The move is controversial though, largely because of the addictive properties of OxyCotin even in adults. However, some doctors already prescribe the drug for children suffering extreme pain. Purdue Pharma, and supporters of the move, say the tests are important because the results will give a more accurate picture of the drug’s effect on children. OxyCotin belongs to the opioids family of drugs, which include such drugs as morphine and heroin. Running tests with such strong and addictive medications is causing concern.
Purdue Pharma claims it is not trying to make a kid’s version of the drug or seeking U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval. It claims it is trying to find out how the drug behaves in the bodies of children. It would be used to treat severe pain conditions like cancer, severe burns, etc.
Addiction to prescription drugs such as OxyCotin has become a real concern in the U.S. A study funded by the National Institute of drug Abuse found that in 2010 2.1 percent of eighth-graders, 4.6 percent of 10th graders and 5.1 percent of 12th graders had abused OxyContin for non-medical purposes. In addition, 40 people a day are reported to die from overdoes of such medications as Oxycotin.
In the light of all this, do you think it is a wise move to conduct tests with children using type of drug?
Ava Gwendolyn
11:37 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012
As if we do not already have a problem with young people becoming addicted to drugs like this, we are now going to test them with it? It's like handing out free candy and creating an even bigger problem with the addiction but aiming at a lower age, it's quite pathetic.
Jerry H.
2:10 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
I have suffered from severe peripheral neuropathy since the late 90's. In 1999 I signed up for a study for a drug to treat this painful disease. Of course they didn't tell you what it was, however it was very carefully controlled. They only gave you a certain amount of pills each month. You had a thorough exam each month and then had to fill out volumes of paperwork each month. I had went through numerous drugs before this study, none helping very much with the pain. Within a week my pain was much, much better. I was on this study for 12 months. The only down side to the study was when I came off and found out what the drug was I then found out what the drug COST! . I've been on it ever since, taking only the amount prescribed by my pain doctor, and it controls my pain. The pain is still there, and I can sure tell it if I miss a dose. But it has been a godsend for me. I could hardly function without it.
As for testing it on children; it sounds like a ploy for them to extend their patent. About 3 or 4 years ago their patent ran out and some generics came out. BIG PROBLEM. Some of the generics just didn't work. IIRC, only one of the generics worked as good as the name brand. So some how the got their patent renewed.
With my monthly prescription @ $360, they stand to lose a lot if they lost their patent. I would need to see more info.
There is a diff. between addition and dependency. I depend on mine for pain relief
Sharon Swanepoel
6:01 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
This does concern me because I think up to a point we are all coached into being too dependent. I know there are definitely people who need it, but I've had it prescribed for me when I really didn't need and I was left with a whole lot I hadn't used and didn't know what to do with. Fortunately I was able to get them into the right hands, but I think it is all the extras out there that are often a problem so I definitely have concerns about trials involving children.
ksyts
10:43 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
OxyContin is a sustained release form of the narcotic oxycodone. It has been safely used for decades and is most commonly known as the drug Percocet (oxycodone and Tylenol combined). Oxycodone is no more addictive than morphine, Dilaudid, Fentanyl, etc. Less than 5% of persons using narcotics for chronic pain are addicted. Addiction is the pursuit of a drug for the high. Not for relief of pain. I've been a hospice nurse for 20 years and have watched as the different narcotics used for pain relief seem to cycle through the list of "bad" drugs. Like all of the other narcotics, oxycodone is a valuable and safe drug. The reality is a drug addict is going to pursue addictive behaviors and find his/her drug of choice. Sadly children also suffer from ailments that cause severe pain and require relief from this pain. I can't speak to Purdue's intent in doing studies with children but I can say that we need these drugs in our society to safely and appropriately treat our fellow humans.