In the United States , a person dies every 19 minutes from a prescription drug overdose . Many of those deaths are attributed to a family of painkillers known as opioids . In an effort to reduce abuse , the Food and Drug Administration announced on Tuesday that it `` is invoking its authority to require safety labeling changes and post-market studies to combat the crisis of misuse , abuse , addiction , overdose and death from these potent drugs that have harmed too many patients and devastated too many families and communities , '' according to a press release . The label changes are meant for extended-release or long-acting opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone , among others . FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg told reporters : `` These drugs are at the heart of the abuse epidemic . But we must recognize the medical use they have . '' Currently , the labels on the drugs say they are for `` the relief of moderate to severe pain in patients requiring continuous , around-the-clock opioid treatment for an extended period of time . '' To discourage over-use and misuse of the drugs , the new labels will say the drugs should be used only when `` alternative treatment options are inadequate . '' While the label changes are something physicians should be aware of , the FDA said it hopes this will result in a larger conversation about pain management between patients and doctors . The FDA expects to finalize the new labeling requirements by the end of this year .
Prescription drugs are common cause of drug overdose deaths . Opioids such as oxycodone and hydrocodone are often the cause . FDA proposes labels to discourage over-use and misuse of the drugs .