Abuse-resistant Form of OxyContin Delayed

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Abuse-resistant Form of OxyContin Delayed

Undesired side effects have stalled clinical trials on a new form of the

powerful painkiller OxyContin that was being designed to prevent abuse

of the drug, reports the Associated Press.

The painkiller is a highly valued narcotic for treatment of severe pain

from cancer or other illnesses, with just one pill offering 12 hours of

relief. But if OxyContin is crushed and then chewed, inhaled, or

injected, it brings on an intense high much like that of heroin. Its

abuse has been linked to more than 100 deaths.

The drug's maker, Purdue Pharma, has been working on a possible solution

to add an ingredient called naloxone, which would block OxyContin's

effects if the pill was crushed or injected.

But the drug maker announced today that trials have found that the

naloxone may also block the painkilling mechanism in those who take the

drug correctly. The company won't seek Food and Drug Administration

approval for the drug this year, as had been planned.

Source: Infobeat News

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