The Clinical Applications of Extended-Release Abuse-Deterrent Opioids

Abstract

Opioids are the mainstay for treatment of acute pain and cancer pain, and also have a role in the treatment of chronic non-malignant pain. There has been, however, a growing public health problem stemming from the misuse of opioid analgesics leading to serious consequences. To deter abuse, new formulations of extended-release opioid analgesics and tamper-resistant opioids have recently been developed. The concept of abuse-deterrent extended-release opioids is relatively new and, although abuse may not be completely prevented, the utilization of such abuse-deterrent extended-release opioids could reduce this risk. Extended-release abuse-deterrent opioids have been found to have important clinical applications in cancer, acute pain, and chronic non-malignant pain for analgesia control with decreased incidence of tampering and abuse. In this review, different extended-release formulations of opioids available for clinical applications are presented with descriptions of the formulations, their physical properties, and the clinical studies performed to provide physicians with a better understanding of their uses.

Tapentadol: A Review of Experimental Pharmacology Studies, Clinical Trials, and Recent Findings

“…Additionally, they are designed to be slowly released into the body, thus reducing the potential for abuse. 72 Reports have shown that immediate-release tablets have been used recreationally and abused by injecting crushed tablets, some of which caused death. 73 As a result of data obtained from a US prescription drug-monitoring system, a study concluded that tapentadol has a significantly higher abuse potential than tramadol.…”