Well, here recently the FDA has released another form of medication for pain management. Protester's are already speaking up, panties all in a twist and it hasn't even been made available to dispense yet. I've been reading the pros and cons to the medication and I do see both sides. I respect both of them.
So what is it? The FDA approved an extended-release single-entity hydrocodone product. This is the FIRST to have updated labeling now required for all ER/LA opioid analgesics. Zohydro ER (hydrocodone bitartrate extended release capsules).
Obviously one of the main cons that people and advocates for addiction disorder are upset about is another drug: More deaths to prescription medication. Now we have to remember that any controlled substance is on a scale of caution due to the increase percentage of addiction to the medication. Huge warning signs all over the medication bottles with labels to warn you along with a packet that 95% of people don't even read with ALL the information about the med. How its made, what it does, what to watch out for, drug interactions, adverse reactions, etc.
I definitely agree that most medications that are released, shouldn't be. But.....this is a big BUT: Medications that are prescribed correctly and work the way they are supposed and monitored the way they are supposed to has saved lives. Not just one. That is why its available. So who are we to be objective in any way to a medication that there maybe a different alternative too may save your life one day?
Now of course when dealing with pain and the controlled substances that go with that doesn't fully weigh into saving someones life, but they help. They cause havoc for sure but they help when used properly. This medication being extended release Zohydro ER is ONLY FOR SEVERE PAIN TO REQUIRE DAILY, AROUND THE CLOCK, LONG-TERM TREATMENT AND FOR WHICH ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE INADEQUATE.
Okay...so I may have been "yelling" that last part with all CAPS because its something that needs to be focused on. You basically have to go through a million hurdles to even be considered for this medication. People respond to medication differently and that does include an opioid. This medication is not and will never be used for "AS-NEEDED PAIN".
There is a side effect on it that the protesters are barking and its the words: May cause death. Do you even realize how many medications besides opiates have that labeling??? Thousands. Almost all of them could cause death because everyone acts differently to medication. You don't really know your allergic to Penicillin or the level of allergic reaction to it until you take and guess what...may cause death or disease. Same goes with OTC (over-the-counter) medications. You chose to take it with all its warnings, "possible side effects", in the good faith that its in the best interest for your health at that time. Just because a doctor prescribes you something doesn't mean you HAVE to take it. Not everyone agrees with my personal opinion of when I say Addiction begins as a choice, but its printed out for you on every single medication. It gives you all the information and you chose to take it or not. I won't go into that any further because last time I tried to explain my position on that, it was misconstrued.
The fact is we have a new C2 medication available for the select few that qualify and truly need it. Imagine your friend, Mom or Dad, or whomever that is suffering from multiple forms of cancer that they can't even move, talk, sleep because they are in so much pain. There is now an option that maybe their best alternative.
Just remember guys, I'm not trying to defend pharmaceutical companies or the FDA for what they chose to do and what they come up with. It wouldn't have been approved if there wasn't a large need for it. Doctors and patients just need to be on their tiptoes with this one and make sure it is the best thing and not just write it and let a person walk out with it. Education with the doctors and the patients and even the Pharmacists that are handing that drug or any medication to anyone need to make sure everyone is on the same page. That you understand what your being offered. What choice you have to make for your medical care.
Choices.....Choices....Choices........... "May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears".
So what is it? The FDA approved an extended-release single-entity hydrocodone product. This is the FIRST to have updated labeling now required for all ER/LA opioid analgesics. Zohydro ER (hydrocodone bitartrate extended release capsules).
Obviously one of the main cons that people and advocates for addiction disorder are upset about is another drug: More deaths to prescription medication. Now we have to remember that any controlled substance is on a scale of caution due to the increase percentage of addiction to the medication. Huge warning signs all over the medication bottles with labels to warn you along with a packet that 95% of people don't even read with ALL the information about the med. How its made, what it does, what to watch out for, drug interactions, adverse reactions, etc.
I definitely agree that most medications that are released, shouldn't be. But.....this is a big BUT: Medications that are prescribed correctly and work the way they are supposed and monitored the way they are supposed to has saved lives. Not just one. That is why its available. So who are we to be objective in any way to a medication that there maybe a different alternative too may save your life one day?
Now of course when dealing with pain and the controlled substances that go with that doesn't fully weigh into saving someones life, but they help. They cause havoc for sure but they help when used properly. This medication being extended release Zohydro ER is ONLY FOR SEVERE PAIN TO REQUIRE DAILY, AROUND THE CLOCK, LONG-TERM TREATMENT AND FOR WHICH ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE INADEQUATE.
Okay...so I may have been "yelling" that last part with all CAPS because its something that needs to be focused on. You basically have to go through a million hurdles to even be considered for this medication. People respond to medication differently and that does include an opioid. This medication is not and will never be used for "AS-NEEDED PAIN".
There is a side effect on it that the protesters are barking and its the words: May cause death. Do you even realize how many medications besides opiates have that labeling??? Thousands. Almost all of them could cause death because everyone acts differently to medication. You don't really know your allergic to Penicillin or the level of allergic reaction to it until you take and guess what...may cause death or disease. Same goes with OTC (over-the-counter) medications. You chose to take it with all its warnings, "possible side effects", in the good faith that its in the best interest for your health at that time. Just because a doctor prescribes you something doesn't mean you HAVE to take it. Not everyone agrees with my personal opinion of when I say Addiction begins as a choice, but its printed out for you on every single medication. It gives you all the information and you chose to take it or not. I won't go into that any further because last time I tried to explain my position on that, it was misconstrued.
The fact is we have a new C2 medication available for the select few that qualify and truly need it. Imagine your friend, Mom or Dad, or whomever that is suffering from multiple forms of cancer that they can't even move, talk, sleep because they are in so much pain. There is now an option that maybe their best alternative.
Just remember guys, I'm not trying to defend pharmaceutical companies or the FDA for what they chose to do and what they come up with. It wouldn't have been approved if there wasn't a large need for it. Doctors and patients just need to be on their tiptoes with this one and make sure it is the best thing and not just write it and let a person walk out with it. Education with the doctors and the patients and even the Pharmacists that are handing that drug or any medication to anyone need to make sure everyone is on the same page. That you understand what your being offered. What choice you have to make for your medical care.
Choices.....Choices....Choices........... "May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears".
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