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						Prescription Painkiller OverdosesPrescription Painkiller OverdosesA Growing Epidemic, Especially Among Women
						Updated Sept. 4, 2018
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			OverviewInfographicsWhat Can Be DoneIssue Details
		

OverviewAbout 18 women die every day of a prescription painkiller overdose in the US, more than 6,600 deaths in 2010. Prescription painkiller overdoses are an under-recognized and growing problem for women.
Although men are still more likely to die of prescription painkiller overdoses (more than 10,000 deaths in 2010), the gap between men and women is closing. Deaths from prescription painkiller overdose among women have risen more sharply than among men; since 1999 the percentage increase in deaths was more than 400% among women compared to 265% in men. This rise relates closely to increased prescribing of these drugs during the past decade. Health care providers can help improve the way painkillers are prescribed while making sure women have access to safe, effective pain treatment.
When prescribing painkillers, health care providers can
Recognize that women are at risk of prescription painkiller overdose.
Follow guidelines for responsible prescribing, including screening and monitoring for substance abuse and mental health problems.
Use prescription drug monitoring programs to identify patients who may be improperly obtaining or using prescription painkillers and other drugs.*”Prescription painkillers” refers to opioid or narcotic pain relievers, including drugs such as Vicodin (hydrocodone), OxyContin (oxycodone), Opana (oxymorphone), and methadone.Every 3 minutes, a woman goes to the emergency department for prescription painkiller misuse or abuse.Nearly **48,000** women died of prescription painkiller* overdoses between 1999 and 2010.
Deaths from prescription painkiller overdoses among women have increased more than **400%** since 1999, compared to 265% among men.
For every woman who dies of a prescription painkiller overdose, **30** go to the emergency department for painkiller misuse or abuse.Top of PageInfographicsView large image and text description
Prescription painkiller overdose deaths are a growing problem among women.

View large image and text descriptionTop of PageWhat Can Be DoneFederal government is
Tracking prescription drug overdose trends to better understand the epidemic.
Educating health care providers and the public about prescription drug misuse, abuse, suicide, and overdose, and the risks for women.
Developing and evaluating programs and policies that prevent and treat prescription drug abuse and overdose, while making sure patients have access to safe, effective pain treatment.
Working to improve access to mental health and substance abuse treatment through implementation of the Affordable Care Act.Health care providers can
Recognize that women can be at risk of prescription drug overdose.
Discuss pain treatment options, including ones that do not involve prescription drugs.
Discuss the risks and benefits of taking prescription painkillers, especially during pregnancy. This includes when painkillers are taken for chronic conditions.
Follow guidelines for responsible painkiller prescribing, including:
Screening and monitoring for substance abuse and mental health problems.
Prescribing only the quantity needed based on appropriate pain diagnosis.
Using patient-provider agreements combined with urine drug tests for people using prescription painkillers long term.
Teaching patients how to safely use, store, and dispose of drugs.
Avoiding combinations of prescription painkillers and benzodiazepines (such as Xanax and Valium) unless there is a specific medical indication.
Talk with pregnant women who are dependent on prescription painkillers about treatment options, such as opioid agonist therapy.
Use prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs)—electronic databases that track all controlled substance prescriptions in the state—to identify patients who may be improperly using prescription painkillers and other drugs.States can
Take steps to improve PDMPs, such as real time data reporting and access, integration with electronic health records, proactive unsolicited reporting, incentives for provider use, and interoperability with other states.
Identify improper prescribing of painkillers and other prescription drugs by using PDMPs and other data.
Increase access to substance abuse treatment, including getting immediate treatment help for pregnant women.
Consider steps that can reduce barriers (such as lack of childcare) to substance abuse treatment for women.Women can
Discuss all medications they are taking (including over-the-counter) with their health care provider.
Use prescription drugs only as directed by a health care provider, and store them in a secure place.
Dispose of medications properly, as soon as the course of treatment is done. Do not keep prescription medications around “just in case.” (See www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Poisoning/preventiontips.htm)
Help prevent misuse and abuse by not selling or sharing prescription drugs. Never use another person’s prescription drugs.
Discuss pregnancy plans with their health care provider before taking prescription painkillers.
Get help for substance abuse problems (1-800- 662-HELP); call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) for questions about medicines.Top of PageIssue DetailsRelated PagesOther SitesScience Behind the IssueVital Signs Issue details: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR): Vital Signs:Overdoses of Prescription Opioid Pain Relievers and Other Drugs Among Women — United States, 1999–2010
Vital Signs – Prescription Painkiller Overdoses [PODCAST – 1:15 minutes]
Vital Signs – Prescription Painkiller Overdoses [PSA – 0:60 seconds]
Vital Signs – Prescription Painkiller Overdoses [SPANISH PODCAST – 1:30 minutes]
Vital Signs: Prescription Painkiller Overdoses in the United States
Policy Impact: Prescription Painkiller Overdoses
Drug Overdose
Medications and Pregnancy
CDC Articles and Key Findings About Opioid Use During PregnancyMedlinePlus – Medication Errors
MedlinePlus – Women’s Health
MedlinePlus – Prescription Drug Abuse
MedlinePlus – Pain Relievers
MedlinePlus – Neonatal abstinence syndrome
The White House – Office of National Drug Control Policy
SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Methadone Treatment for Pregnant Women [149 KB, 2 pages]
Treatment Approaches for Women [8 MB, 380 pages]
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction
Drug Enforcement Administration – Office of Diversion Control
Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction
Prescription Drugs
U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Drugs Information
National Institute of Mental Health
Mental health medications
MotherToBaby
PDMP Center of Excellence, Brandeis UniversityMorbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
Science Clips
							
					
							Last Updated Sept. 4, 2018														Source: 	National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention
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