Pain Meds Reformulated to Prevent Addiction

With addiction to prescription painkillers rising sharply, some drug makers are looking for ways to deliver effective pain relief with less risk of dependence, the Associated Press reported March 18.

A recent meeting on prescription drug addiction organized by the National Institute on Drug Abuse included information on Remoxy, an abuse-resistant version of oxycodone being developed by Pain Therapeutics Inc. Remoxy is a gelatin version of the drug that, unlike OxyContin, can't be crushed and then snorted or injected. The drug is currently in late-stage clinical trials.

Researchers also are looking at combining oxycodone with naltrexone, an anti-craving drug, to prevent abuse.

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