March 4, 2014
Opioid painkillers can be extremely beneficial in treating patients suffering from excruciating pain, but the potential for deadly dosage errors makes the use of these medications extremely risky. Now, experts are concerned a new, more powerful form of these drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may present a Painkiller Overdose risk.
An article from RT News stated the new drug, called Zohydro, is as much as 10 times stronger than Vicodin and packs more punch than Oxycontin, the strongest painkiller on the market today. Experts say patients who are not used to taking this type of medication and consume two capsules could die, while children could suffer fatal overdoses after taking just one pill.
Such a powerful narcotic medication may fuel the epidemic of painkiller overdoses the United States is currently experiencing. Studies have shown taking too much of an opioid medication is the number one drug injury reported in the United States today.
These findings have prompted a group of more than 40 doctors to call on the FDA to reconsider its approval of the drug. Several members of Congress and attorney generals from 28 states are also calling for the reconsideration.
The Drug Injury Attorneys with Ferrer Poirot Feller Daniel hope the FDA makes a decision that best protects patient safety and health.