Opioids News and Research

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An opioid is a chemical that works by binding to opioid receptors, which are found principally in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. The receptors in these two organ systems mediate both the beneficial effects and the side effects of opioids.

Sucampo presents phase 3 trial results of lubiprostone in non-cancer pain patients with OBD at DDW 2010

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the presentation of results from a phase 3 clinical trial investigating the use of lubiprostone in non-cancer pain patients with Opioid-induced Bowel Dysfunction (OBD). These results were the subject of an oral presentation at the Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2010 conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, on May 5, 2010.

11 May 2010

QRxPharma reports successful outcome of Phase 1 trial for MoxDuo CR for chronic pain

QRxPharma announced today the successful outcome of a Phase 1 trial for MoxDuo CR, a controlled-release (CR) Dual-Opioid(TM) designed to provide 12 hours of pain relief in patients suffering from moderate to severe chronic pain (including cancer, lower back, osteoarthritis and neuropathic). The purpose of the trial was to determine which of the various experimental formulations provided the optimum duration of drug levels in the blood.

10 May 2010

Ethicon Endo-Surgery SEDASYS CAPS system receives European Union CE Mark, Health Canada approval

Ethicon Endo-Surgery today announced that the SEDASYS® System, the first computer-assisted personalized sedation (CAPS) system, was granted a CE Mark for the European Union for routine colonoscopy and screening of the upper gastrointestinal tract (EGD procedures), and Health Canada granted regulatory approval for the SEDASYS® System for use by healthcare professional teams during routine colonoscopy.

3 May 2010

NeurogesX announces $40 million royalty financing agreement with Cowen Royalty

NeurogesX, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel pain management therapies, announced today that that it has entered into a $40 million royalty financing agreement with Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners, L.P. ("Cowen Royalty").

30 Apr 2010

Distinct gender differences underlying risks for abuse of prescription pain drugs: Study

There are distinct gender differences underlying the risks for abuse of prescription pain drugs, according to a Harvard study published in The Journal of Pain, the peer review journal of the American Pain Society, www.ampainsoc.org and www.jpain.org.

28 Apr 2010

Stinging FDA review for Acurox – the implications

The US FDA’s advisory panel’s decision to recommend against approval of Acura Pharmaceuticals/King Pharmaceuticals’ Acurox (oxycodone plus niacin) was based upon the view that data were lacking that niacin-induced flushing could potentially reduce misuse of Acurox with single-ingredient oxycodone. The panel also contended that clinical studies were not conducted in populations that might be likely to benefit from the drug’s purported abuse-deterrent properties, such as those with chronic pain and adolescents who are experimenting with drug use.

27 Apr 2010

Covidien launches EXALGO Extended-Release Tablets in the US

Covidien, a leading global provider of healthcare products, today introduced EXALGO™ (hydromorphone HCI) Extended-Release Tablets, (CII), the only extended-release hydromorphone treatment available in the United States. This proven therapy, combined with an innovative delivery system, provides opioid-tolerant patients suffering from moderate-to-severe chronic pain relief for 24 hours per dose.

26 Apr 2010

Physician panel to discuss issues related to Qutenza at Investor Day

NeurogesX, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel pain management therapies, announced today that Anthony DiTonno, President and CEO, and members of the NeurogesX management team, will host an Investor Day on Friday, April 30, 2010, from 8:15am-11:00am EDT in New York City

24 Apr 2010

Need for better understanding potential dangers of prescription painkillers

In response to a study published in the April issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine called "Hospitalizations for Poisoning by Prescription Opioids, Sedatives, and Tranquilizers," the Waismann Method of Opiate Detoxification is urging Americans to take measures to better understand and recognize the potential dangers and addictive nature of prescription painkillers.

22 Apr 2010

Hospira enters definitive merger agreement to acquire Javelin Pharmaceuticals for $145M

Hospira, Inc., a global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company, and Javelin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive merger agreement providing for the acquisition of Javelin by Hospira for $2.20 per share in cash, or approximately $145 million. Hospira expects to commence a tender offer for all outstanding shares of Javelin common stock on or about April 21, 2010, in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement.

19 Apr 2010

Pivotal preclinical data of YM BioSciences' CYT387 JAK1/2 inhibitor pre-published in Blood

YM BioSciences Inc., announced the pre-publication of pivotal preclinical data for CYT387, the company's highly selective and potent JAK1/2 inhibitor, currently in a Phase I/II trial for myelofibrosis.

19 Apr 2010

Phase II clinical study examining CTT's Calmare pain therapy medical device completed

Competitive Technologies, Inc. announced today that Thomas J. Smith, MD FACP, and co-investigator Patrick J. Coyne, MSN, APRN, FAAN, of Virginia Commonwealth University's Massey Cancer Center have completed their open Phase II clinical study examining CTT's Calmare pain therapy medical device's efficacy treating patients suffering with severe pain from chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy.

15 Apr 2010

Alkermes submits VIVITROL sNDA for opioid dependence

Alkermes, Inc. today announced that it has submitted a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for VIVITROL® (naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval as a treatment for opioid dependence. The company requested a priority review for its sNDA and if granted by the FDA, it would mean a six month review timeline.

13 Apr 2010

Physicians warn parents on dangers of prescription drug abuse among children

With reports of increased prescription drug overdoses in emergency departments, the nation's emergency physicians are issuing a strong warning to parents about the dangers of abusing prescription drugs, which are now the second most abused drugs, after marijuana. Hospital visits caused by accidental and unintentional prescription drug overdoses went up 37 percent between 1999 and 2006, according to new data released by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

13 Apr 2010

Competitive Technologies to introduce Calmare pain therapy at medical conference

Competitive Technologies, Inc. announced today that it will hold a conference for the medical community on May 17, 2010, in Boston, Mass. at the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., to introduce CTT's Calmare® pain therapy to the medical community. Professor Giuseppe Marineo, MD, DSc., Researcher, Founding President of Delta Research and Development, Tor Vergata University of Rome, is the Italian inventor of the "Scrambler Therapy," the technology used in the Calmare medical device.

12 Apr 2010

Complicating doctors' work: Prescription drug scams and excessive paper work

News outlets examine two issues affecting doctors' work: patients fraudulently seeking prescriptions and overwhelming paper work.

12 Apr 2010

Prescription overdoses are second leading cause of unintentional deaths in US

"Unintentional poisoning is now the second leading cause of unintentional death in the US," reports Dr. Jeffrey H. Coben of West Virginia University School of Medicine in Morgantown. Among people 35 to 54 years old, unintentional poisoning surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of unintentional death in 2005.

6 Apr 2010

Qutenza 8% patch now available for pain associated with PHN: NeurogesX

NeurogesX, Inc. announced today that Qutenza® (capsaicin) 8% patch, the first and only product containing prescription-strength capsaicin, is now available. Clinical studies have shown that a single one-hour Qutenza application can provide three months relief from pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia, the nerve pain that can occur after shingles.

6 Apr 2010

Prescription drug abuse reaches epidemic proportions

Poisoning is now the second leading cause of unintentional injury death in the U.S. While several recent high-profile Hollywood celebrity cases have brought the problem to public attention, the rates of unintentional poisoning deaths have been on the rise for more than 15 years.

6 Apr 2010

New formulation of controlled-release drug OxyContin approved

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a new formulation of the controlled-release drug OxyContin that has been designed to help discourage misuse and abuse of the medication.

6 Apr 2010

Opioids News and Research

Further Reading

Sucampo presents phase 3 trial results of lubiprostone in non-cancer pain patients with OBD at DDW 2010

QRxPharma reports successful outcome of Phase 1 trial for MoxDuo CR for chronic pain

Ethicon Endo-Surgery SEDASYS CAPS system receives European Union CE Mark, Health Canada approval

NeurogesX announces $40 million royalty financing agreement with Cowen Royalty

Distinct gender differences underlying risks for abuse of prescription pain drugs: Study

Stinging FDA review for Acurox – the implications

Covidien launches EXALGO Extended-Release Tablets in the US

Physician panel to discuss issues related to Qutenza at Investor Day

Need for better understanding potential dangers of prescription painkillers

Hospira enters definitive merger agreement to acquire Javelin Pharmaceuticals for $145M

Pivotal preclinical data of YM BioSciences' CYT387 JAK1/2 inhibitor pre-published in Blood

Phase II clinical study examining CTT's Calmare pain therapy medical device completed

Alkermes submits VIVITROL sNDA for opioid dependence

Physicians warn parents on dangers of prescription drug abuse among children

Competitive Technologies to introduce Calmare pain therapy at medical conference

Complicating doctors' work: Prescription drug scams and excessive paper work

Prescription overdoses are second leading cause of unintentional deaths in US

Qutenza 8% patch now available for pain associated with PHN: NeurogesX

Prescription drug abuse reaches epidemic proportions

New formulation of controlled-release drug OxyContin approved

Achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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