e-Profile Login and ID Quick Search
New Tamper-Resistant OxyContin Tablets to be Released August 2010
Reformulated OxyContin® tablets, designed to prevent abuse of the prescription pain medication, will be released during the month of August 2010. Purdue Pharma L.P. has notified Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) about the new formulation and provided details about the changes to the tablets. Reformulated tablets have a different marking (“OP” rather than “OC”), and have been designed to prevent the medication from being cut, broken, chewed, crushed, or dissolved – methods that are used to circumvent the timed-release action of the medication. In addition, the reformulated OxyContin 60 mg and 80 mg tablets are slightly larger in size.
DEA notes that the release of the new OxyContin formulation, and discontinuation of the prior formulation, may lead to changes in patterns of abuse, related health care needs, and in illegal activities involving OxyContin and other opioid drugs. Specifically, health care providers may see an increase in patients presenting with acute withdrawal episodes and possibly an increase in related emergency room visits. There may also be an increase in individuals seeking treatment for addiction, and in the abuse of other drugs such as heroin.
Photos of both the original OxyContin tablets and the newly formulated tamper-resistant OxyContin tablets are available on the DEA Web site. Questions should be directed to the DEA Liaison and Policy Section at 202/307-7297.
FDA approval of the new OxyContin formulation was reported in the April 15, 2010 e-News.
