Which of the following drugs is commonly involved in prescription opioid overdose deaths?

Oxycodone is commonly involved in prescription opioid overdose deaths because it is a powerful synthetic opioid medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. As a member of the opioid class, it works by binding to specific receptors in the brain and central nervous system, producing effects such as pain relief, euphoria, and sedation. These effects are beneficial for pain management but also carry a significant risk for misuse, addiction, and overdose.

When taken in higher doses or combined with other depressants, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines, the risk of respiratory depression increases, which can lead to overdose and death. Oxycodone's potential for abuse and high incidence in overdose cases has made it a leading concern within the context of the opioid epidemic.

In contrast, medications like ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen are primarily non-opioid pain relievers that do not carry the same risk of respiratory depression and are less commonly involved in overdose deaths, particularly those stemming from prescription drug misuse. Thus, while they can cause adverse effects, including liver failure or gastrointestinal bleeding in extreme situations, they do not create the same high potential for fatal overdose as oxycodone does.