Concerns about the potential addiction risks of a new painkiller are beginning to mount.  Experts say that the painkiller Zohydro is at least 10 times more addictive than Vicodin.  It contains a pure version of hydrocodone, a painkiller that is often used to treat moderate to severe pain.  In fact, Houston personal injury lawyers are already concerned that the addiction risks of Zohydro could equal those of Oxycontin.

Those concerns are being also echoed by the National Coalition against Prescription Drug Abuse, whose chairman recently told Fox News that he was concerned that Zohydro could become the next Oxycontin.  Oxycodone is one of the most widely abused drugs in the United States, with hydrocodone closely following. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the number of hospital emergency visits caused because of hydrocodone abuse has increased from 19,221 in 2000 to 86,258 in 2009.

OxyContin has for several years now been linked to a higher risk of abuse.  The risks of abuse may be higher among those patients who already suffer from mental illness, or patients who have a history of drug or substance abuse.  The drug can be successfully abused by persons by crushing the timed-release pills.  Taking the drug in this manner can cause a fatal overdose.

Zohydro also contains hydrocodone in a timed-release form, and those who want to abuse the drug can do so by simply crushing the pills. Zohydro is manufactured by Zogenix, which says that it intends to begin marketing the pills in 2013.  The company says that Zohydro will be safer than Vicodin because it does not contain acetaminophen which has been linked to liver failure.

Vuk Vujasinovic is a Board Certified Houston personal injury attorney who practices Houston auto accident and other personal injury cases.

For more info on how Vuk can help you with your potential case please call him at (877) 724-7800 or fill out the contact form on the right.

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