Prescription pain medicine overdose deaths rise in Washington state
In 2008, 505 people in Washington State died from accidental overdoses involving prescription pain medications–a 17-fold increase from 1995, the Department of Health reports.
These types of deaths now surpass automobile crashes as the leading cause of injury death in the state for residents ages 35 to 54, the Department said.
Many people are treating these powerful drugs too casually, said State Health Officer, Dr. Maxine Hayes. “This stuff isn’t aspirin, and it should be handled with care.”
State’s trend reflects a national trend
Since the 1990s, doctors have writing more prescriptions for opioid-containing pain medications and with that increase, the state and the nation have seen a rise in both overdose-related hospitalizations and deaths.
In the past, opioid drugs, which contain compounds related to morphine (which is derived from opium), were primarily used for cancer pain.
But over the past two decades, the use of opioid-containing medications, sold under such brand names as Vicodin, Oxycontin and Duragesic, has gone up more markedly; and, today, 3 percent of U.S. adults, roughly 8 million people, are taking opioid medications for the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain, such as low-back and neck pain, arthritis and menstrual pain.
In Washington State, the death rate per 100,000 population for overdose from prescription pain medications was highest in Stevens, Clallam, Spokane, Grant, and Snohomish counties, the Department of Health said.
The death rate for Stevens was nearly three times that of King County, 18.6 per 100,000 population compared to 6.8 per 100,000 population in King County.
The Department of Health advises:
- Patients with valid prescriptions must be careful with their prescription pain meds — and the need for caution grows with higher doses.
- It’s important to keep medications in a safe place so others can’t get to them.
- Always follow the directions and consult with your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns about prescriptions.
- If you can’t reach your health care provider, talk to your pharmacist.
- Taking these powerful drugs with alcohol, illegal drugs, and other prescription medications can be dangerous — and even deadly — unless done under a doctor’s care.
- Properly dispose of all unused and expired prescription medications. Several drug take-back programs exist across the state. Find a location (www.medicinereturn.com/return-your-medicines/return-your-medicines/return-locations) in your community.
- The recently passed Good Samaritan Law allows immunity for anyone who is either experiencing an overdose or witnessing one (www.atg.wa.gov/pressrelease.aspx?&id=25810). Call 9-1-1 to get care as quickly as possible.
To learn more:
- Information for health care providers, parents, and patients is on the Department of Health website. The Take as Directed (www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/TakeAsDirected/default.htm) page is a resource to help people learn about this serious issue and help prevent death. It has information for health professionals about how to effectively and safely prescribe these medications. Parents can also find tips to keep their children from abusing prescription drugs, and advice on where they can turn if they think their teen needs help.
- A brochure has been created for health professionals to educate their patients about how to safely use prescription pain medication (http://here.doh.wa.gov/materials/safe-use-of-prescription-pain-medication/33_PainMeds_E10L.pdf). It shows possible signs of an overdose — abnormal vital signs, sleepiness or confusion, and shortness of breath — and what to do when you observe an overdose.
Related posts:
- Higher-dose pain prescriptions linked to higher overdose risk
- Washington prescribers to switch to tamper-proof prescription pads
- Pharmaceutical opiate drugs top cause of drug deaths in Seattle area
- FDA urges caution with use of Darvon, Darvocet and other propoxyphene-containing drugs pain
- Seattle Children’s says its safety procedures failed in overdose death of 15-year-old boy
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