Health briefs: Texts help smokers quit

Motivational text messages more than double the odds smokers will kick the habit, according to a study published online Friday in The Lancet. The study included 5,800 United Kingdom smokers who wanted to quit. One group (2,915 participants) received motivational text messages; a control group (2,885) received non-motivational ones. The motivational texts included help dealing with cravings and advice on preventing weight gain. For example: "Cravings last less than 5 minutes on average. To help distract yourself, try sipping a drink slowly until the craving is over." The non-motivational messages weren't connected to the study.

OxyContin substitute

Oxecta, an abuse-resistant form of the top-selling painkiller oxycodone, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The immediate-release medication contains niacin, which is designed to cause uncomfortable flushing and skin irritation if a person takes more than the recommended amount. Oxecta is similar to Purdue Pharma's best-selling prescription painkiller OxyContin, a long-acting opioid drug that's commonly abused.

-- HealthDay