Question 14: Do some patients have difficulty falling asleep due to OxyContin? Is this a narcotic receptor effect or other phenomenon?

Raymond Sinatra, MD: "Up until the current controversy I found OxyContin to be well tolerated in my patients. It does seem to have a pick me up effect which in certain people enhances their ability to function, while this may also add to the abuse potential. Comment on this buzz, also, I've noticed that some patients have difficulty falling asleep because of it. Is this a narcotic receptor effect or other phenomenon?" Anyone want to take that one?

Neil Jobalia, MD: Not sure I've experienced that effect in a large number of patients. As we all know any drug can have any effect on any patient, but specifically when I look at the percentages I don't see a lot of people coming in and commenting on that. They seem to pretty much all have the typical dysphoric effects and other side effects that you see with any opioid.

Raymond Sinatra, MD: Have you noticed inability falling asleep because of the product?

Neil Jobalia, MD: I don't think ... I have noticed it, sure, in a couple of patients, but I've also noticed that with other classes of medications such as antidepressants that are supposed to be sedating or benzodiazepines that I may have used. So no more so than I've seen in any other class of medicine, just kind of idiosyncratic effects.