Prescription Painkiller Overdoses in the U.S.
Overdose deaths from prescription painkillers have skyrocketed in the past decade. Every year, nearly 15,000 people die from overdoses involving these drugs—more than those who die from heroin and cocaine combined.
Overdoses involving prescription painkillers—a class of drugs that includes hydrocodone, methadone, oxycodone, and oxymorphone—are a public health epidemic. These drugs are widely misused and abused.
One in 20 people in the United States, ages 12 and older, used prescription painkillers nonmedically (without a prescription or just for the "high" they cause) in 2010. A recent CDC analysis discusses this growing epidemic and suggested measures for prevention.

More Information
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR): Vital Signs: Overdoses of Prescription Opioid Pain Relievers–United States, 1999-2008
Vital Signs: Overdoses of Prescription Opioid Pain Relievers --- United States, 1999--2008

CDC Vital Signs: Prescription Painkiller Overdoses in the U.S. CDC Vital Signs

Policy Impact: Prescription Painkiller Overdoses
CDC - Prescription Painkiller Overdoses Policy Impact Brief - Home and Recreational Safety - Injury Center

CDC Feature Article: Prescription Painkiller Overdoses in the U.S.
CDC Features - Prescription Painkiller Overdoses in the U.S.

Vital Signs: Overdoses of Prescription Opioid Pain Relievers --- United States, 1999--2008

Early Release

Abstract

Background: Overdose deaths involving opioid pain relievers (OPR), also known as opioid analgesics, have increased and now exceed deaths involving heroin and cocaine combined. This report describes the use and abuse of OPR by state.

Methods: CDC analyzed rates of fatal OPR overdoses, nonmedical use, sales, and treatment admissions.

Results: In 2008, drug overdoses in the United States caused 36,450 deaths. OPR were involved in 14,800 deaths (73.8%) of the 20,044 prescription drug overdose deaths. Death rates varied fivefold by state. States with lower death rates had lower rates of nonmedical use of OPR and OPR sales. During 1999--2008, overdose death rates, sales, and substance abuse treatment admissions related to OPR all increased substantially.

Conclusions: The epidemic of overdoses of OPR has continued to worsen. Wide variation among states in the nonmedical use of OPR and overdose rates cannot be explained by underlying demographic differences in state populations but is related to wide variations in OPR prescribing.

Implications for Public Health Practice: Health-care providers should only use OPRs in carefully screened and monitored patients when non-OPR treatments are insufficient to manage pain. Insurers and prescription drug monitoring programs can identify and take action to reduce both inappropriate and illegal prescribing. Third-party payers can limit reimbursement in ways that reduce inappropriate prescribing, discourage efforts to obtain OPR from multiple health-care providers, and improve clinical care. Changes in state laws that focus on the prescribing practices of health-care providers might reduce prescription drug abuse and overdoses while still allowing safe and effective pain treatment.

full-text:
Vital Signs: Overdoses of Prescription Opioid Pain Relievers --- United States, 1999--2008

November 1, 2011 / 60(Early Release);1-6