Choose drug(s) classified as narcotic analgesics - Research Paper Example

Oxycodone: Narcotic Analgesic The article en d Oxycodone Abuse Creating Problems For Pharmacists, Patients written by Otto and published in Medscape Today dated April 01, 2001 proffered issues pertinent to the narcotic analgesic, Oxycodone. According to the US DHHS (par. 1), oxycodone “is in a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics. It works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain”. The present dilemma that pervades pharmacies and patients is faced in terms of increasing incidents of abuse.

There were reported burglaries on pharmacies seeking to steal oxycodone from their shelves to be resold to illegal black market. The trend puts patients in chronic pain at risk.According to Otto, “the target of many criminals is Purdue Pharmas OxyContin, a sustained-release oxycodone product. Specifically formulated to meet the needs of patients with chronic, intractable pain, OxyContin is being crushed by abusers to make the full dose immediately available when they inhale, swallow, or inject it” (par. 3).As emphasized by the USDHHS, “Oxycodone can be habit-forming.

Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or take it for a longer period of time than prescribed by your doctor” (par. 6). Just like any other narcotic analgesics, the tendency for drug abuse is strong and therefore needed precautions are to be observed to prevent addiction to the drug.However, the drug has been proven to be effective in “the treatment of moderate to severe diabetic neuropathy, according to the results of a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial reported in the March 25 issue of Neurology” (Controlled – Release, par. 1). Further, the same report indicated that “although opioid tolerance and physical dependence have been reported during chronic opioid therapy, neither phenomenon was demonstrated in this 42-day study” (par. 6). The information reveals that when used in a controlled environment with specific medical instructions applied, the adverse effects of addiction and habit forming is, in fact, prevented.

The drug has been specifically recommended for diabetic patients who experience pain from moderate to severe neuropathy, especially in lower limbs and extremities. The risk of burglaries and notorious reports on the drug has severe repercussions in terms of limited supply for patients who are in need of them. Further, Otto averred that “the number of deaths linked strictly to oxycodone has been exaggerated in the press, noting that in most cases abusers die from taking many drugs at the same time and adding alcohol to the mix.

Oxycodone just happens to be one of them” (par. 17).Narcotic analgesics are specifically designed for identified illnesses to prevent adverse effects on other organs that could be compromised by non steroidal inflammatory drugs. Otto has outline measures to combat abuse of OxyContin, a brand of Oxycodone, and other narcotic analgesics. Health care practitioners, drug pharmacists and patients must be vigilant and responsible for their actions to ensure that adverse effects, like abuse or even death, are ultimately avoided and prevented.

Works CitedControlled-Release Oxycodone Effective in Moderate-Severe Diabetic Neuropathy. 31 March 2003. Web. 03 May 2011.< http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/451481> Otto, Alex. Oxycodone Abuse Creating Problems For Pharmacists, Patients. 01 April 2001. Web. 03 May 2011. < http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/406808> US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Oxycodone. 25 April 2011. Web. 03 May 2011.