Oxycodone’s Unparalleled Addictive Potential: Is it Time for a Moratorium?

Abstract

Purpose of Review: This study and literature review were carried out to investigate whether oxycodone is the most addictive prescription opioid. Recent Findings: This was a cross-sectional survey from a pain management practice in south-central Alaska and review of the literature involving 86 patients diagnosed with opioid dependence/opioid use disorder from 2013 to 2018. Patients were given a list of prescription opioids and asked to identify the one (1) most desirable to themselves, (2) most desirable among drug-using associates or community, and (3) they deemed most addictive. Patients with a history of heroin use were asked which, if any, served as their gateway drug to heroin. The literature was reviewed using a PubMed search for articles containing the words “oxycodone” and “abuse,” “addiction,” “dependence,” “disorder,” and “euphoria.” Oxycodone was ranked most highly in all four questions (n = 50, 60.2%; n = 46, 75.4%; n = 38, 60.2%; n = 14, 77.8%, respectively) by a wide margin. Summary: Numerous observational studies performed over the past few decades have demonstrated the supreme “likability” and abuse and dependence liability/addictiveness of oxycodone, with more recent mechanistic studies illuminating biological underpinnings including markedly increased active transport across the blood-brain barrier, increased phasic dopaminergism in the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens and related striatal reward centers, and possibly increased kappa opioid receptor-mediated withdrawal dysphoria. Oxycodone possesses pharmacologic qualities that render it disproportionately liable to abuse and addiction and the risks of any long-term prescription outweigh the benefits.