Researchers at the Washington University in St. Louis have found that the frequently abused prescription medication, OxyContin, is now leading drug abusers to switch from OxyContin to heroin as a result of a recent change in the drug's formulation. An abuse-deterrent formulation was introduced in August 2010. The researchers at Washington University examined the effect of the change in formulation with regard to the abuse of OxyContin and other opioids.The painkiller's new formula makes inhaling or injecting the drug more difficult. This has led to a switch to heroin. So while the abuse of OxyContin has decreased, which is good, the problem is that there is now a surge in the use of heroin. This may lead to an increase in heroin related overdoses and other public health and safety issues associated with the street drug.
The Washington University scientists published their findings in the New England Journal of Medicine:
Cicero TJ, Ellis MS, Surrat HL. Effect of abuse-deterrent formulation of OxyContin. The New England Journal of Medicine, July 12, 2012.
