Oxycodone produced effects similar to those of other mu opioid agonists. Although oxycodone produced abuse liability-related subjective effects, it also produced unpleasant effects, a phenomenon we have observed in other opioid studies in non-drug-abusing volunteers.

Consistent with a recent study published in this journal using identical doses of HYD and OXY (without ACET) in prescription opioid abusers (Walsh, S.L., Nuzzo, P.A., Lofwall, M.R., Holtman Jr., J.R., 2008. The relative abuse liability of oral oxycodone, hydrocodone and hydromorphone assessed in prescription drug abusers. Drug Alcohol Depend. 198, 191-202), we found little difference in the pharmacodynamic effects of HYD/ACET and OXY/ACET in non-drug-abusing volunteers.

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eHealth is characterized by technology-enabled processes, systems, and applications that expedite accurate, real-time health information, feedback, and skill development to advance patient-centered care. When designed and applied in a culturally competent manner, eHealth tools can be particularly beneficial for traditionally marginalized ethnic minority groups, such as Latinos, a group that has been identified as being at the forefront of emerging technology use in the United States. In this analytic overview, we describe current eHealth research that has been conducted with Latino patient populations. In addition, we highlight cultural and linguistic factors that should be considered during the design and implementation of eHealth interventions with this population. With increasing disparities in preventive care information, behaviors, and services, as well as health care access in general, culturally competent eHealth tools hold great promise to help narrow this gap and empower communities.

Cancer and its treatment can significantly impact health-related quality of life (HRQOL) (J Pain Symptom Manag 9 (3):186-192, 1994; Soc Sci Med 46:1569-1584, 1998), particularly for Hispanics (Healthcare Financ Rev 29 (4):23-40, 2008; Psycho-Oncology 21 (2):115-124, 2012). Moreover, providers of cancer support for this population may encounter unique challenges. Grounded in social capital theory, this study identified Spanish-speaking, Hispanic breast cancer survivor support needs and preferences for a mHealth intervention. A user-centered, community-engaged research design was employed, consisting of focus groups made up of constituents from a local Hispanic-serving, cancer support organization. Focus group audio-recordings, translated into English, were coded using a grounded theory analytic approach. First, lead researchers read the complete transcripts to obtain a general sense of the discussion. Next, coding rules were established (e.g., code at the most granular level; double and triple code if necessary, code exhaustively) and initial codebook was created through open-coding. Three new coders were trained to establish requisite kappa statistic levels (≥.70) for inter-rater reliability. With training and discussion, kappa estimates reached .81-.88. Focus group (n = 31) results revealed a mHealth intervention targeting Hispanic cancer patients should not only offer information and support on disease/treatment effects but also respond to the individual's HRQOL, particularly emotional and social challenges. Specifically, participants expressed a strong desire for Spanish content and to connect with others who had gone through a similar experience. Overall, participants indicated they would have access to and would use such an intervention. Findings indicate positive support for a mHealth tool, which is culturally tailored to Spanish speakers, is available in Spanish, and connects cancer patients with survivors.

The results of this study, albeit in pain-free individuals, may inform physicians who prescribe, and pharmacists who dispense, two widely prescribed opioid/acetaminophen combination products on how patients might be feeling from the drugs. Patients prescribed either of the two opioid/acetaminophen combination products may experience a number of subjective effects, including effects that would contraindicate certain activities, and they should be cautioned accordingly. However, this study documented rather large differences in magnitude of subjective effects between 10 mg oxycodone/650 mg acetaminophen and placebo, and physicians and pharmacists, and ultimately patients, should be aware of these differences.

In this study, 10 mg of oral oxycodone combined with a low dose of ethanol generated abuse liability-related effects, but when tested separately, they did not. Further psychopharmacological investigations of this combination are warranted in light of these findings and the fact that nonmedical use of prescription opioids is sometimes accompanied by use of ethanol.