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DrugScreening.org


 
Opioid Analgesics Most Common Cause of Unintentional Fatal Drug Poisoning in the U.S.
September 29, 2006

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Research Summary

Opioid analgesics, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, and methadone, are more likely than cocaine or heroin to be the cause of unintentional drug poisoning deaths in the U.S., according to a recent analysis of mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics.

The percentage of unintentional drug poisoning deaths involving opioid analgesics has been increasing since 1999, while those involving cocaine and heroin have been steadily decreasing.

In 2002, more than one-third of the deaths examined in this study involved opioid analgesics, compared to 25.8% involving cocaine and 12.8% involving heroin.

A breakdown of the opioid analgesic poisoning deaths for that year shows that more than half involved drugs such as codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine while nearly one-third involved methadone. Relatively few involved the opioids fentanyl and meperidine.

For details, including data charts, source information and caveats, download the PDF file at www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/cesarfax/vol15/15-37.pdf.

Source: 
Adapted by CESAR from Paulozzi, L.J., Budnitz, D.S., and Xi, Y. (2006) "Increasing Deaths from Opioid Analgesics in the United States," Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 15(9): 613-617.

Reprinted from CESAR Fax, a weekly, one-page overview of timely substance abuse trends or issues, from The Center on Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) at the University of Maryland. 

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