Abuse of OxyContin ® and immediate-release oxycodone in a rural Kentucky county following introduction of reformulated OxyContin: Results from 6-month follow-up interviews

Aims: In August 2010, shipments of original OxyContin (oxycodone HCl controlled-release; OC) stopped and reformulated OxyContin (ORF) started. OxyContin was reformulated to render it more difficult to manipulate for the purposes of intentional abuse. This study describes changes in abuse 1–2 years after ORF introduction among individuals who had abused OC in rural Kentucky. Methods: Structured follow-up interviews assessing opioid use were conducted in 164 individuals who abused OC, 85% of the original sample of individuals interviewed about preand postORF drug use (n=192). Participants reported retrospectively about abuse, including past 30-day use via any route (days/month), in interviews conducted January 2011–April 2012, approximately 6 months after the initial interview. Results: Most participants (76%) selected OC as their preferred drug prior to ORF introduction; (66%) selected immediate release (IR) oxycodone as their preferred drug after ORF introduction. From the initial post-ORF interview to 6-month follow-up, the prevalence and frequency (days/month) of OC abuse declined (60–11% and 11.3–3.3 days/month among those who abused, respectively). During the same time period, prevalence of ORF abuse declined (33–18%); among those who were abusing ORF, frequency remained stable (5.9 vs. 5.7 days/month). At followup, 23% reported attempting to manipulate ORF for purposes of abuse, though only 1 participant selected ORF as the preferred drug. There was a decline in the prevalence of any IR oxycodone abuse (96–85%); the frequency among those abusing IR oxycodone remained relatively constant. Conclusions: OxyContin changed frombeing the preferred drug for themajority of abusers before ORF introduction to the preferred drug for <1% of abusers at follow up, while the prevalence of OC abuse declined due to decreased availability. There was a shift in preference from OC to IR oxycodone as availability of OC declined. Financial support: Supported by Purdue Pharma L.P.