Comparative efficacy of oral extended-release hydromorphone and immediate-release hydromorphone in patients with persistent moderate to severe pain: two randomized controlled trials.

Two multicenter, randomized, double-blind, crossover studies with identical designs evaluated the efficacy of oral extended-release hydromorphone (HHER) administered q24h compared with immediate-release hydromorphone (HHIR) dosed four times daily in patients with persistent moderate to severe pain. Patients titrated to a stable HHER dose were randomized to individualized doses of HHER or HHIR for 3 to 7 days before crossover to the second treatment. Primary efficacy end point was the mean of average pain intensity (API) scores, rated on a 0- to 10-point numeric scale, over the last 2 days before the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics day of each double-blind period.

Oxycodone involvement in drug abuse deaths. II. Evidence for toxic multiple drug-drug interactions.

Recent surveys suggest that the abuse of drugs, often in combination, is pervasive throughout society. Adverse consequences of drug abuse tend to be attributed to the single drug "most likely" to be responsible. This is frequently seen in fatality cases, particularly those involving opioids.

Oxycodone involvement in drug abuse deaths. II. Evidence for toxic multiple drug-drug interactions.

Recent surveys suggest that the abuse of drugs, often in combination, is pervasive throughout society. Adverse consequences of drug abuse tend to be attributed to the single drug "most likely" to be responsible. This is frequently seen in fatality cases, particularly those involving opioids.

Oxycodone involvement in drug abuse deaths: a DAWN-based classification scheme applied to an oxycodone postmortem database containing over 1000 cases.

An oxycodone postmortem database was created from 1243 solicited cases from Medical Examiner and Coroner (ME/C) offices in 23 states in the United States over the period from August 27, 1999, through January 17, 2002. The request for cases was specific to only those cases in which the ME/C opined that the death involved oxycodone. Each case was evaluated to determine the role of oxycodone and the specific drug product OxyContin tablets in the death.