OxyContin Use for Kids Draws Scrutiny

The crux of the issue is whether the agency’s approval will lead to more prescriptions for OxyContin in young patients. For years, the powerful long-acting drug has been prescribed off-label to very sick children in severe pain from cancer or spinal-fusion surgery. (Doctors can prescribe an approved drug to anyone and for any use they see fit regardless of specifications on the label.) The agency’s approval means those doctors will finally have "information about how to do it appropriately," like dosage recommendations, said Dr. Stephen Ostroff, the agency’s acting commissioner, in an interview.

Read Full Article »
Comment
Show commentsHide Comments

Related Articles