FDA approves Watson's generic Combunox

BOSTON Watson Pharmaceuticals has received final approval from the Food and Drug Administration for the generic version of Forest Laboratories' short-term pain management drug, Combunox.

The drug is a combination of oxycodone hydrochloride and ibuprofen in a 5 mg/400 mg strength. It is indicated for treatment of no more than one week.

According to IMS Health, Combunox had sales of about $4 million in the U.S. for the 12 months ended September 2007. Watson intends to launch its generic product immediately.