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| Statistic by the CDC |
CBS News Reports - More than five
times as many women died of prescription painkiller overdoses in 2010 than in
1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Tuesday. About 48,000 women have died from
painkiller overdoses between 1999 and 2010, an increase of 400 percent over the
period. In 2010, that amounted to about 18 women every day. About half of all
women's overdose deaths were due to prescription painkillers.
The startling statistics were
revealed in a CDC Vital Signs
report on July 2. Prescription painkillers include opioid or
narcotic pain relievers, including drugs like Vicodin, OxyContin, Opana and
methadone.
"They shouldn't be used
lightly, [only] where they are essential, necessary, something like severe
cancer pain," CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden told CBS News. "They are important
tools. But all too often, the risks are way higher than the benefits."
Since 2007, more women have died
from drug overdoses than motor vehicle crashes. Women ages 45 to 54 are at the
highest risk of dying from taking too many painkillers. About 10 percent of
female suicides are committed with prescription painkillers.
In addition, women between 25 and 54 are more likely than any other age group to have to go to the emergency room due to prescription painkiller misuse or abuse. For every woman who died of a prescription painkiller overdose, 30 more went to the emergency room for misuse or abuse. The rate of ER visits was about one woman every three minutes in 2010.
"It's a big problem among
women," Frieden said to the New York Times.
"It's underrecognized."
Overall, drug overdose
deaths rose for the 11th straight year in 2010, and in 60 percent of
the fatalities prescription painkillers were involved. Opioid deaths were
involved in three out of four medication-related deaths.
The CDC reported that men are still
more likely to die from painkiller overdoses. Male prescription painkiller
deaths also increased by 265 percent in the same time frame, but the gap
between the two genders is closing.
- Study shows 70 percent of Americans take prescription drugs
- More kids poisoned as medication prescribing rates increase
- FDA bans generic version of original OxyContin
Experts say that increased painkiller
prescription rates may be behind the rising numbers. Part of the reason that
women are so vulnerable is that they are more likely to be in chronic pain, be
prescribed painkillers, be given higher doses and use them longer than men.
Compared to men, women are also more likely to become addicted to prescription
painkillers faster and are more likely to "doctor shop" for more
prescriptions.
Dr. David Sack, CEO of Promises
Treatment Centers, previously told CBSNews.com that there was a push
to treat pain symptoms 40 years ago, which increased the frequency
of painkiller prescription. He said people feel comfortable using prescription
drugs because they come from pharmacies and doctors, but do not realize they
can have devastating effects if used together or if someone takes too many.
"It's kind of the Heath Ledger
phenomenon," Sack explained. "Even though any one of them are not
enough to cause an overdose, two or three of theme together is enough."
Opioid prescriptions belong in the
same family of drugs as heroin. Sack has also noted many cases of people
turning to black tar heroin from prescription drugs because it is cheaper.
Women were also more likely to die
of overdoses due to medicines for mental health conditions like antidepressants
or benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety or sleep drugs) than men.
Overdose isn't the only problem.
Prescription drugs taken by pregnant women can put the fetus at risk of
neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). NAS is a group of symptoms that happen when
a newborn has been exposed to addictive illegal or prescription drugs --
including amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, marijuana and
opiates/narcotics -- while in utero. It is similar to fetal alcohol syndrome
(FAS), which happens when a mother abuses alcohol while pregnant.
NAS symptoms depend on the type of
drug the mother used and how often she used it. They can include mottling
(blotchy skin coloring), diarrhea, excessive or high-pitched crying, excessive
sucking, fever, hyperactive reflexes, increased muscle tone, irritability, poor
feeding habits, rapid breathing, seizures, sleep problems, slow weight gain,
sweating, sneezing or stuffy nose, trembling or vomiting. Symptoms appear one
to ten days after birth.
The CDC said the U.S. government is
tracking prescription drug overdose trends to monitor the epidemic, teaching
health care providers and the public about the warning signs of abuse, and
creating programs to help treat prescription drug abusers and those who
overdose. In addition, the CDC says the Affordable Care Act should provide
better access to mental health and substance abuse treatment programs for those
who need it.
The CDC is encouraging health
providers to recognize the signs of prescription drug abuse in their patients
and follow guidelines when it comes to prescribing medications. Doctors should
avoid giving painkillers and benzodiazepines to the same patient, and help
pregnant women who are addicted seek help. Prescription drug monitoring
programs (PDMPs) can also help track patients who are abusing drugs and the
system.
Patients should discuss which
medications they are taking, including over-the-counter ones, with their health
care provider and only use them as directed. As soon as they are done using
treatment, they should discard any leftover medication. Patients should never
sell or share their prescription drugs, and be open with their health care
provider about their pregnancy plans before they take prescription drugs.
