Egalet Launches First Oxycodone to Discourage Intranasal Abuse

Sept. 9, 2015

Egalet Corporation launched OXAYDO (oxycodone HCI, USP) tablets -CII in the United States. OXAYDO is an immediate-release (IR) oral formulation of oxycodone HCl indicated for the management of acute and chronic moderate to severe pain where the use of an opioid analgesic is appropriate. The company says it is the first and only IR oxycodone that is designed to discourage abuse via the route of snorting, and it can be taken without regard to food, the way opioids generally are taken.

"Now with OXAYDO available, physicians will have an immediate-release oxycodone option that's designed to discourage abuse with no food effect," said Deanne Melloy, Egalet's chief commercial officer. "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."

OXAYDO is designed to discourage intranasal abuse through its patent-protected formulation, according to a press release. The product contains an inactive ingredient that may cause nasal burning if OXAYDO is manipulated. In a double-blind, crossover study six times more recreational users reported they would not take OXAYDO again compared to subjects exposed to immediate-release oxycodone (30 percent of subjects exposed to OXAYDO responded they would not take the drug again compared to five percent of subjects exposed to IR oxycodone), the release said.

"Because single-agent, IR 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," said Sri Nalamachu, MD, president and medical director, International Clinical Research Institute.

Read the full release