Egalet introduces first IR oxycodone designed to discourage abuse

WAYNE, Pa. — Egalet Corporation on Thursday launched (oxycodone HCI) in the U.S.

An immediate-release oral formulation, Oxaydo is intended to manage acute and chronic moderate to severe pain where the use of an opioid analgesic is appropriate, Egalet said.The company said it is one of the first immediate-release oxycodone tablets designed to discourage abuse by snorting.

"Now with Oxaydo available, physicians will have an immediate-release oxycodone option that's designed to discourage abuse with no food effect," Deanne Melloy, Egalet's chief commercial officer, said. "Our dedicated sales force will begin promoting Oxaydo immediately, in addition to promoting Sprix, a nasal spray form of ketorolac, to healthcare providers focused on pain."

Nearly 11 million people reported using opioids non-medically in the past year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. With abuse often beginning from a legitimate prescription, nearly 70% of abused opioids are taken from a friend or relative, the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health said. Snorting is one of the most common means of abusing immediate-release, single-agent oxycodone.

But Oxaydo discourages intranasal abuse through a patent-protected formulation that may cause nasal burning, Egalet said. Six times more recreational users reported that they would not take the drug again, compared to the subjects exposed to immediate-release oxycodone.

"Because single-agent, immediate-release oxycodone is one of the most frequently abused opioids, Oxaydo is an important addition to our arsenal of treatment options to help patients manage their pain while discouraging abuse," Dr. Sri Nalamachu, president and medical director of International Clinical Research Institute, said.