Painkillers linked to increase in overdose deaths

By Steven Reinberg

"Deaths from overdoses of prescription drugs, primarily pain relievers, appear to be on the rise throughout the United States, new research suggests..."

"...one in five had 'doctor shopped,' looking for physicians to prescribe pain medications, particularly opioids like methadone, hydrocodone and oxycodone, Hall said..."

"Hall's group thinks that doctors and pharmacists have a critical role in preventing the misuse of these drugs. 'It is essential that they counsel patients not only about the risk of overdose to themselves, but about the risks to those with whom they might share their drugs,' he said..."

Full article available at http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2008/12/09/painkiller...