News Release

Long-acting OxyContin ® tablets now available in 160 mg strength to relieve persistent pain

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Porter Novelli

160 mg tablets are for use in opioid-tolerant patients only

NORWALK, CT, July 10, 2000 -- For patients suffering from moderate to severe pain which requires treatment for more than a few days, OxyContin ® (oxycodone HCl controlled-release) Tablets C-II are now available in a 160 mg strength. This dosage is for patients requiring daily oxycodone doses of 320 mg or more.

OxyContin -- the first and only 12-hour oxycodone analgesic

Purdue Pharma L.P., a leader in pain management, developed and patented the unique for-mulation, OxyContin, which was launched in January 1996. It was initially available in 10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg tablet strengths. In 1997, OxyContin 80 mg Tablets became avail-able. OxyContin is copromoted by Abbott Laboratories.

Fewer tablets to prescribe ... fewer doses to remember ... fewer tablets to take

The introduction of the 160 mg tablet strength permits patients requiring higher doses to be managed with significantly fewer OxyContin Tablets. One OxyContin 160 mg tablet is comparable to two 80 mg tablets when taken on an empty stomach. With a high fat meal, however, there is a 25% greater peak plasma concentration following one 160 mg tablet. Dietary caution should be taken when patients are initially titrated to 160 mg tablets. OxyContin 80 mg and 160 mg tablets are for use only in opioid-tolerant patients requiring daily oxycodone equivalent dosages of 160 mg and 320 mg respectively.

The longest lasting oxycodone ... ever

OxyContin is the only oral oxycodone that acts for 12 full hours to relieve pain -- making it the longest-lasting oxycodone on the market. Unlike short-acting pain medications which must be taken every 3 to 6 hours, OxyContin Tablets are taken every 12 hours. When OxyContin is dosed around the clock, it provides smooth and sustained pain control all day and all night.

Analgesic onset occurs within one hour in most patients

With OxyContin, analgesic onset occurs within one hour in most patients. There is no maximum daily dose -- or "ceiling" dose -- to analgesic efficacy, allowing physicians to titrate the dosage upward when needed for pain control. OxyContin Tablets are to be swallowed whole, and are not to be broken, chewed, or crushed. Taking broken, chewed or crushed OxyContin Tablets could lead to the rapid release and absorption of a potentially toxic dose of oxycodone.

The most serious risk associated with opioids, including OxyContin, is respiratory depression. Common opioid side effects are constipation, nausea, sedation, dizziness, vomiting, pruritus, headache, dry mouth, sweating, and weakness.

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OxyContin is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to oxy-codone or in any situation where opioids are contraindicated. (Please see Contraindications section in package insert.)

Please read accompanying professional prescribing information.

B6430-PR 6/00



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