Do Americans Need a Powerful New Painkiller?
EmailIt has not even hit the market yet, and already a powerful new painkiller is arousing debate among doctors specializing in pain management.
The drug is a new formulation that would allow doctors for the first time ever to prescribe pure hydrocodone to their patients. According to the National Institutes of Health, hydrocodone is already a component of 404 separate branded drugs; in each case, it is mixed with some other medication. Vicodin, a well-known example, is a combination of hyrocodone and acetaminophen, which is the active ingredient in Tylenol.
Four companies are each working on their own versions of the drug, and the earliest of these could hit the market in 2013 if approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to Associated Press reports.
But should such a product even be available, particularly in light of the country’s growing battle with prescription painkiller addiction? At the center of the debate is the question of whether the possible benefits of such a pill, which would potentially carry many times the amount of hydrocodone than the amount in current combination medicines, would outweigh the risks linked to the addictive potential.
“Oh, it is very addictive,” said Dr.Lloyd Saberski, medical director of the New Haven, Ct.-based Advanced Diagnostic Pain Treatment Centers. “But so are oxycodone, Dilaudid, Demerol and morphine. Why should this product be discriminated upon more so than the other products?”
Saberski added that existing FDA regulations would protect the public from the misuse of this new drug.
“If the controls in place are failing, then we need to look at how to improve them for all the opioid class medications,” he said. “Curtailing the availability of opioid would not help us provide medical care.”
Other pain management physicians say adding pure hydrocodone to the mix of addictive prescription pain drugs already available will only make the country’s painkiller abuse problem worse. One of these physicians is Dr. Joel Saper, founder and director of the Michigan Head Pain and Neurological Institute in Ann Arbor.
“I don’t think we need another opioid,” Saper said. “We need better education, more sanity, and we need to stop treating benign pain with more narcotics.”
Saper said that while it would make sense for pain management doctors to be able to prescribe hydrocodone as a painkiller without the acetaminophen in Vicodin — which can cause acute liver toxicity if too much is taken — there are currently other approaches available to doctors that allow them to treat pain with existing drugs.
Saper said that adding another drug to the mix would be a mistake in light of the country’s prescription drug abuse problem.
“Drug deaths from [opiates] exceed both auto and gun deaths,” he said. “So do I think we need another narcotic marketed and hyped?
“We shouldn’t be putting more bullets onto the street.”
Additionally, Dr. Joshua Prager, director of the Center for the Rehabilitation Pain Syndromes at UCLA Medical Plaza, said so many opiate drugs currently exist that another may not be necessary.
“The question is, how many arrows do you need in the quiver?” he said. “I can name so many opiates that can do the job. They’re all pretty similar, so what’s the point here?
“I’m a very strong advocate of pain relief and using opiates,” he continued. “But I don’t see where this gives anyone anything different than what’s already on the market.”
Another issue at the center of the debate is the question of who should be allowed to prescribe powerful pain medications in the first place. These medicines are currently used by many doctors who have no background in pain management.
“What is urgently needed is FDA approval of effective and safe analgesics (e.g. hydrocodone) but also a national policy to restrict opioid prescriptions to legitimate and trained practitioners [and] put the pill mills out of business … and have a patient monitoring system to assure safe prescription and use,” said Dr. Elliot Krane, director of pediatric pain management at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in San Francisco. “What is not needed are Draconian measures that deprive patients of effective opioid therapy or demonize chronic pain patients who are dependent on opioids for comfort and to function.”
What do you think? Should the FDA approve yet another opioid painkiller?
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No of course we don’t need another addictive pain pill.
This isn’t about americans needing another pain pill, this is about the continued profit of pharmaceuticals and the addiction and abuse of the medical community against americans.
Posted by: xxx | December 27, 2011 December 27, 2011, 6:59 pm
There are about 5,000 deaths / year from opiate drugs. To say that exceeds car accidents is a total lie.
Posted by: Leonard S Rann | December 27, 2011 December 27, 2011, 7:41 pm
The last thing anyone needs here or abroad is another pain pill. I would much rather people smoke or ingest pot. At least we know where it comes from!
Posted by: Lynn | December 27, 2011 December 27, 2011, 7:51 pm
There’s clearly no need for more narcotics, what is needed are better alternatives to narcotic.
Posted by: karmicnoodle | December 27, 2011 December 27, 2011, 8:24 pm
There is a need,my so is in cronic pain will be for rest of his
Life,shouldnt need to worry about all the other crap in pills.there are
People out there who truely benifit from it they shouldnt be punished for tne ones who abuse it.
Posted by: Doug thornton | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 5:46 am
Removing liver damaging acetaminophen from the mix is an excellent idea. Why should a patient be saddled to it when all they require is the hydrocodone? Same goes for codeine.
Posted by: Dr Dave | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 6:18 am
“its good to take amphetamine(tylonol) out of pain medication , it destroys livers. the only reason they put it in there is to “limit abuse potential ” meaning you will destroy your liver before you get a habit.
doctors should take more care in prescribing though. people should be told that Vicodin oxy ect. are opiates ala morphine ,heroin and carry the same abuse potential. to often there not .
of course on the other hand you should never just take somthing the doctor gives you without doing your own research . .there is no excuse thes days with google
Posted by: paisan | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 6:21 am
It is easy to say we do not need another drug to manage pain when you are not the one in chronic pain. As a veteran who has served in the current nation building efforts in Iraq and has injuries that produce chronic pain this should be a decision between my doctor and me. There is no reason why anyone should have to suffer with chronic pain and all the effects from it such as depression and suicidal thoughts. Let the doctors and patients have the freedom and liberty to do what is best for the patient and not BIG government.
Posted by: Robert Sharpe | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 6:34 am
“Drug deaths from [opiates] exceed both auto and gun deaths,” he said. “So do I think we need another narcotic marketed and hyped?
This is just flat out wrong. I wonder if the rest of his analysis is as good.
Posted by: Cletus | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 6:49 am
Let me get this staight: because some people might abuse the drug, we should not make it available to the millions it would benefit?
So the interest of protecting the stupid and self-destructive in society outweighs the interests of everyone else? Our nanny-state is out of control and has a very strange perspective on what is really in the interest of the public good.
Posted by: anonymoose | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 7:00 am
people who need pain meds should have them. People who get addicted to pain meds should get the help that is needed. Most of all I think what is needed is more education for the doctors on how to treat the ones who get strung out on the drugs. as for a new pain med well what’s the point here.?????????$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
goodnight miss calabash wherever you are
Posted by: bike | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 7:23 am
if you think there’s an argument to be made about arrows and quivers, this is just about removing a completely unnecessary liver toxin from the quiver
Posted by: eeenok | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 7:25 am
Well . . . there’s no oil in Afghanistan, so we have to be there for SOME reason, right?
Posted by: rlee64 | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 7:29 am
I am a person with chronic pain, so why should meds be denied to me. If people choose to overdose that is their personal choice, why are you so concerned. It is not your problem, if someone wants to OD their are plenty of other ways to do it, their personal choice. However, there are people looking for some type of medication to relieve their chronic pain who will take the meds as directed, why should we be denied because of a group of others who abuse. We just want a quality of life, pain free. Stop your concern about overdose, it is not your problem, let people live their lives the way they want to, everyone has choices so let them live the way they want to even if it involves death.
Posted by: Linda | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 7:30 am
Deaths from Tylenol overdose far exceed deaths from narcotic overdose. Remove tylenol from prescription drugs with narcotics. Do not compare drug overdose to auto and guns statistics, they are not the same and this is a totally irrelevant comparison used to persuade the reader. Shut down the pill mills. Make welfare time constraints real and contingent on drug screening. Open the manufacturing market back in the U.S. and the jobless rate will drop. Stop creating more government jobs, this is not a legitimate longterm solution.
Posted by: steveMD | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 7:38 am
I have so many things wrong from IPF and asbestos,I went into the hospital last jan. for a bio.every one came close to me screwed up I came out after 18 days half my lung gone The other lung is 2 3rds covered with honey comb.I also have ra,I am taking 30 mg oxycodne,It is not enough I am a christian I belive there is a hell,and I would go there if I took my own life.so I pray every night please lord take me home before I wake up That is not much of a lifeso if I could grt something that would help who are you to tell me no? so why should meds be denied to me. If people choose to overdose that is their personal choice, why are you so concerned. It is not your problem, if someone wants to OD their are plenty of other ways to do it, their personal choice. However, there are people looking for some type of medication to relieve their chronic pain who will take the meds as directed, why should we be denied because of a group of others who abuse. We just want a quality of life, pain free. Stop your concern about overdose, it is not your problem, let people live their lives the way they want to.
Posted by: James Christian | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 8:33 am
My son has been on pain killers for years. It screwed up his mind and life. I am sure he will try to get his hands on this new one. He is very dangerous to be around.
Posted by: gerri | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 11:07 am
wooohooooo lets get high “not”
Posted by: sandra | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 1:29 pm
another drug that big business profit on call it what it is drug dealing they say people shouldn’t get addicted on these type of drugs but that what there design for so you become dependent on them so you keep buying them. a course there going to get into the wrong hand like every thing else dose like guns i’m sure gun were made for wars an to protect people but that not what they are use for all the time come on people it is what it is another way for big business to make there money drug dealing an call it helping call it what it is cocaine pushing
Posted by: real as it gets | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 1:45 pm
I have severe chronic pain that left me totally unable to walk until I was placed on some very potent opiate pain killers. I still cannot walk long distances, but am not bedridden. I do not feel I abuse my opiate-type pain killers, and in fact I frequently tend to under use them to the point I have ended up with pain out of control. Then it can take days to get it back in control. I feel that people who are going to abuse drugs are going to do it no matter what the drug is. Even over the counter drugs like Benadryl and Dramamine have been used to overdose and have caused deaths! So to deny a drug because of those who “may” abuse it is wrong! If it will help people like me when prescribed correctly and used correctly, it should be put on the market!
Posted by: Mariposa | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 1:50 pm
I’ll just use marijuana, thanks.
Posted by: Jon | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 2:25 pm
NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! People are dying every day from pain medication. People are ruining their lives and, more importantly, the lives of their loved ones, because of pain medications. When is the government and the freaking FDA going to put an end to this absolute insanity???
Posted by: Helen | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 5:15 pm
” Bring it on “
Posted by: James Dickdog Martinelli | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 6:40 pm
It amazes me to see how many ill informed people there are commenting on things they know little to nothing about. It is very sad that those who choose to abuse opiod pain medications screw it up for those who really need them to get by on a daily basis. I’ve been living with debilitating chronic pain for 38 of my 56 years on this earth. If I did not have opiod pain meds to help take hte edge of my pain, I would have checked out years ago. It’s funny though…you never hear about people who live with chronic pain taking their own lives because they can no longer bear to live with the pain. All you hear about is those who take them to get high. Unless you have actually lived with and had pain consume your life, you have NO IDEA!
Posted by: Teleblooz | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 10:34 pm
no to new drugs that just kill! as it was stated there are plenty of drugs already out there that are sufficient enough…use them. dam the government, maybe its theyre way of getting rid of “junkies” hmmm just give them the hard drugs to succeed in death instead of help.
Posted by: carol | December 28, 2011 December 28, 2011, 11:48 pm
THE DRUG COMPANIES are doing enough damage – making people feel like they NEED drugs to get through the day – we have enough drugs on the market that are overprescribed and abused as it is. People are dropping like flies from overdosing. Young people. Before we add to the arsenal of pills we should overhaul the system – doctors should not be able to accept kickback incentive money for prescribing a certain drug. Drug companies should not be allowed to advertise their drugs on TV like it’s a box of cereal, and pharmacies should be tracking who uses the pills. Of course their are legitimate people in pain, but why do we need one more? we don’t.
Posted by: stephanie | December 29, 2011 December 29, 2011, 1:50 am
My concern is that with this new amazing drug that I agree will help many people that there will also be doctors who push pills and feed peoples addiction. I believe that only certain doctors such as those who work for a pain clinic or addictionologists etc. should be able to prescribe this medication. When any doctor who has a license can prescribe these medications people fall through the cracks and there medications are not properly monitored by the doctor. I was in a car accident many years ago which left me with chronic pain that required opiates for an extended period of time. Getting off of the medication was the hardest thing I have ever done, and withdrawals were really bad. I hope that all aspects of this drug have been taken into careful consideration
Posted by: stacy | December 29, 2011 December 29, 2011, 8:18 pm
hell ya it needs to be done ! people are so dumb to this fact ! people die in cars so lets just take them off the market or not let them make a new one !!!!!!
Posted by: tman69 | January 1, 2012 January 1, 2012, 7:13 pm
I have a chronic pain condition as a result of 2 surgeries – neuropathy (nerve pain). I wish that the drug companies would find a way to cure pain conditions without using opiates. I take a very small dose daily so that I won’t get hooked or tolerant, but I suffer a lot. We don’t take cars off the road because they kill people and here in Tenn. we let people carry guns into bars and restaurants. I guess we can let people have pain medications because to deny them would cause UNTOLD SUFFERING. Until you’ve been in chronic pain, you have no right to judge people who need opiates since the drug companies seem to not be able to cure so many painful conditions. They are still working on it, I hope. A drug for nerve pain please!
Posted by: Nina Vandy | January 2, 2012 January 2, 2012, 10:33 am
I too take medication to try to be a “normal” subject of society, I have noticed alot lately that I am getting treated more and more like one of the criminals that are trying to obtain these drugs illegally. Someone who has to rely on medication to be somewhat normal can tell you that it is no fun. There is no enjoyment in taking these plls, just a little releif from the pain that would otherwise keep you immobile and unable to work regular hours and take care of family. There has got to be a better way for distribution and monitoring. But I think starting at the top with those who suppy the prescriptions, then the pharmacist themselves would ward off most problems. If though I get drug tested to see that I am only taking what I am prescribed, why is it not that the people on welfare and state programs are not drug tested? They are hooked on drugs, that usually our tax money is buying since we are the ones supporting them…And if these people are some of the shady ones that are taking these drugs than that would stop alot one would think. No pass drug test, no food stamps and freebies. then they would have to get a job which most likely would also drug test them..no more junkie.
Stwart Jenssen
Rohypnol.tblog.com
Posted by: Stwart Jenssen | January 2, 2012 January 2, 2012, 11:54 am
There are alot of things that can be considered addcitive that are legally purchased everyday-Coigarettes, coffee, alcohol, etc that also cause death. No one knows the depressing and debilatating effect constant pain can have on a person unless they have experienced it first hand. People who have to deal with pain everyday would welcome anything that helps them try to live a “normal” life. Get off the abusive train argument and try to understand the beenfit this would have for the people that need ti most. Abuse is not a reason to prevent something coming to the market thatr would help people.
Posted by: Bill | January 3, 2012 January 3, 2012, 8:29 am
Don’t we have enough deaths every day from people abusing pain medication? Some of the doctors out there are nothing but so called high class drug pushers. Until this country can get a grip as to how these narcotics are dispensed I say STOP the cycle now. We have a huge presscription drug epidemic that many people are totally unaware of. Let’s not add more fuel to the fire.
Posted by: Gail Aguilar | January 6, 2012 January 6, 2012, 12:34 am
I have been in cronic pain for over 15 years now and take pain medication only when the pain gets bad and it can be dibilitating some times. I hat the fact that they prescribe a pain killer that can damage your liver which is a major organ so I feel that a new pain med without acetaminophen is a good thing. People with real pain issues are not addicts but are dependent on the pain meds and do not get high but just have control over the pain. If not for my pain meds I probably would almost be bed ridden and not be able to work and I for one am glad that the drug companies are doing research on better pain meds for those that really need them. What I don’t understand is how the dealers of these drugs are able to get them and in such high quantities and I guess their doctors can’t tell the difference between a person who really needs them and on who just sells them or gets high on them. I have had friends ask me if they could have a couple and I have to tell them no since I feel if they need them then they should go to their doctor and have him prescribe them. The big problem these days is there is so much abuse now that the DEA is regulating how many pills can be produced and now there are not enough to make sure those who really need them can’t get them because the pharmacies are running out . When I read about a person getting 180 oxycontins a month I just have to wonder if they really need that much and I know there are people who do and a lot of people who don’t.
Posted by: Mike Williams | January 8, 2012 January 8, 2012, 7:27 pm
Just want to add that I refuse to take Oxycontine due to the fact it is one of the easiest pain meds to get hooked on and also one of the hardest to stop using. I told my pain management doctor that I didn’t ever want to use them and that kind of shocked him but he said I knew more about pain medication than most people that he saw. They are one the best drugs to get a buzz from but I am just getting rid of pain and noot looking for a buzz.
Posted by: Mike Williams | January 8, 2012 January 8, 2012, 7:33 pm
I am a middle-aged and life-long chronic pain patient. I became 100% disabled years ago. 12 years ago I was diagnosed with deteriorating arthritis, which has now taken over every joint in my body, and that includes my hands, wrists, ankles, feet, neck, and the entire length of my spine. I have spinal stenosis, which is narrowing of the spine. I have bad discs in my lower back, which a few of them are pushing into my spine causing constant numbness and tingling in my hands and fingers. Eventually the further those discs push into my spine they’ll cause paralysis for me. Besides having arthritis in my neck, every disc in my neck is bad as well, which causes severe constant, throbbing pain. Arthritis is a joint, bone, and cartilage deteriorating disease. It does not get better, only gets worse. There is NO surgery to fix me, I’ve been to many doctors about surgery, and they all said the same thing. NO surgery because it’s too risky and dangerous. So I have no choice, if I want some sort of life, if I can take half of my chronic pain away, then I am forced to live on pain medications for the rest of my life. That is what I am doing now.
Those of you naysayers really have NO idea how much pain medications help people who honestly and truly need them. Healthy people just will never understand chronic pain and the need for pain medication use. Yes there are many, many people who don’t need them but take them to abuse them for the “high”. Yes, that IS a problem. But why should those of us who honestly need them, we who are chronic pain patients, continue to be punished for those who abuse them?? Do NOT deny me medications that will help me get through every single day of my life, and take away some of my pain. Since I’ve been on narcotics for a few years I know I’ve taken a lot of Tylenol, I don’t like that, know I have to worry about my liver, and would appreciate a new pain medicine that had zero Tylenol added to it. If I can take a medicine to help my pain and take the full strength, then please don’t deny me that. I doubt the new med will come through because it’ll be stopped, I know it will, so I won’t even expect it to come out next year.
Posted by: PK | January 9, 2012 January 9, 2012, 5:04 pm
Leave it to the liberals at ABC to try to make those of us who suffer from chronic pain go without medication. Just because your teenagers are stealing someones pills and getting high isn’t a reason to prevent us from receiving care. I wish chronic pain on all of you who have come out against this drug; only then will you understand that some mornings we choose between a pill or a real bullet.
Posted by: Mike | April 29, 2012 April 29, 2012, 9:04 pm
More drugs for people to choice from the better, some people get bad side effects fro mmany medications so more options the better
People who do really powerful painkillers should have as many options as possibul, cancer patenints often have to try many powerfulll painkillers beofore they find a one that does not cause massive side effects, so yes
Dont depreave people of medicictions just because some junkie might abuse it , it´s absurd that the actions of addict should punish people who really need this stuff
Posted by: Lex | May 13, 2012 May 13, 2012, 6:15 pm