The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the total economic burden of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States is $78.5 billion a year, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement.1
Oxycodone is a semisynthetic opioid analgesic prescribed for the relief of moderate to severe pain. Oxycodone structurally resembles codeine and morphine, with similar analgesic properties and potential for addiction and abuse. Oxycodone is a DEA schedule II drug. The drug oxycodone is prescribed in controlled-release form (OXYCONTIN), or in combination with acetaminophen (PERCOCET) or with aspirin (PERCODAN).