A report from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention shows that more women now die from overdoses of prescription drugs such as OxyContin (Oxycodone Hcl), Vicodin (Acetaminophen/Hydrocodone Bitartrate), Percocet (Acetaminophen/Oxtcodo0ne Hcl) than from cervical cancer, homicide or street drugs such as heroin and cocaine.
More men die from painkiller overdoses than women do, but the rate of death among women is rising much more rapidly–soaring 400 percent in 10 years.
Women are more likely to experience chronic pain, which translates into taking painkiller drugs at higher doses. over a longer period of time. Women also are more likely to take anti-anxiety drugs that can be a lethal in combination with pain medication.
My feelings as a pharmacist is to look to alternative therapies for pain. See my book “Prescription Alternatives” for more information.
by Dr. Earl Mindell