USFDA approves OxyContin for children aged 11 to 16

USFDA has approved OxyContin, a narcotic painkiller for children aged 11 to 16. The approval has been received with mixed response, with doctors treating young cancer patients hailing the use of opioid, while others doubting the use of drug on children fearing addiction.

OxyContin is an extended-release opioid that has long been used to treat around-the-clock pain in adults. But most pain medications are not approved for use in children.

The FDA says it asked drugmaker Purdue Pharma to study how to safely use OxyContin in children.

Under the approval announced Thursday, prescribers are directed to only prescribe OxyContin to children who can already tolerate another opioid. Taking a sudden dose of an opioid can lead to overdose and death if patients haven't previously been exposed to the drugs.

The FDA notes that the Duragesic patch is the only other opioid approved for children.