Abuse-Resistant Oxycodone Approved

MONDAY, June 20 (HealthDay News) — Oxecta, an abuse-resistant form of the top-selling painkiller oxycodone, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The immediate-release medication contains niacin, which is designed to cause uncomfortable flushing and skin irritation if a person takes more than the recommended amount. Oxecta is similar to Purdue Pharma’s best-selling prescription painkiller Oxycontin, a long-acting opioid drug that’s commonly abused.

Oxecta shouldn’t be used in people who have severe asthma, upper-airway obstruction or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), drug makers Pfizer and Acura Pharmaceuticals said in a news release. Common adverse reactions include nausea, constipation, vomiting, headache, itchiness, insomnia, dizziness and lack of energy, the companies said.

Pfizer is based in New York City, and Acura in Palatine, Ill.

More information

The National Library of Medicine has more about oxycodone.

– Scott Roberts

Last Updated: June 20, 2011