Challenges in the development of prescription opioid abuse-deterrent formulations

Pain medication misuse in the South African spinal cord injury context

Background

Pain after spinal cord injury (SCI) is debilitating and has been reported to be difficult to treat, despite pharmacological interventions. Pain medication misuse (PMM) and associated individual factors among people with spinal cord injury (PWSCI) are scarce.

Aim

To determine PMM and the associated factors in PWSCI.

Setting

Homes of community-dwelling manual wheelchair users with SCI in South Africa.

Methods

Community-dwelling PWSCI (n = 122) were consecutively sampled and the Pain Medication Questionnaire (PMQ) was used to determine PMM. Descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact test, independent t-tests, and simple linear regression tests were performed using SPSS v27. Testing was conducted at the 0.05 level of significance.

Results

Eighty-five per cent of the participants reported the presence of pain and 48.1% of them used pain medication. Forty-four percent of people who used pain medication scored ≥ 30, indicative of serious aberrant drug-taking behaviours. Opioids were mainly used for neuropathic pain and in combination with other types of medications such as anticonvulsants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (44.0%). Pain severity and the type of pain medication were found to be predictors of PMM (p < 0.01 respectively).

Conclusion

Pain relief after SCI remains difficult to achieve, with an evident high risk of PMM, which may lead to long-lasting side effects, dependency, or overdose.

Contribution

This study has shown the need for the assessment of the potential risk of dependency before prescribing pain medication, particularly opioids to PWSCI.

Self-regulated Anti-Overdose Crush and Extraction-Resistant Drug Delivery System to Combat Opioid Overdose Crisis

Pharmaceutical opioid dosage forms are commonly misused via an oral route in non-manipulated form, i.e., overdose in intact form, or manipulated form, i.e., after crushing the dosage form, and also via the non-oral route in manipulated form, particularly the parenteral or nasal route. To assess the self-regulated anti-overdose property, crushing strength, extractability, and syringeability of the developed drug delivery system by in vitro laboratory studies. Tapentadol HCl drug particulates fabricated using different polymers were assessed for extractability studies in 25 ml of water at room temperature (RT) and at > 90°C. Crushing strength was assessed by grinding the drug particulates in a mortar and pestle and a coffee grinder for 1 min. For syringeability, an attempt was made to withdraw the drug mixture using a 1 ml insulin syringe for 1 min. To assess the self-regulated anti-overdose property, in vitro dissolution testing on a single-capsule per dissolution vessel (normal condition) and four-capsules per dissolution vessel (overdose condition) was performed. POLYOX, Natrosol, and Blanose-containing drug particles retarded drug extraction by > 80% at RT and > 90°C. After 1 min of grinding in a mortar and pestle and a coffee grinder, crushed POLYOX-containing drug particulates were retained at > 99% on the ASTM-170# screen. The attempt to withdraw the viscous mixture of drug formulation prepared with 5 ml of water for 1 min using a 1 ml insulin syringe was unsuccessful. In dissolution studies, more than 90% of the drug was released in normal conditions, and more than 90% of the drug was retarded in overdose conditions. In vitro laboratory studies demonstrate that the developed self-regulated anti-overdose crush-resistant drug delivery system may deter misuse via oral and non-oral routes.

An algorithm to identify gabapentin misuse and/or abuse in administrative claims data

BACKGROUND

Despite gabapentin's misuse and abuse potential and associated adverse events, few algorithms are available to detect gabapentin misuse and/or abuse in claims data. This study aims to develop an algorithm to identify gabapentin misuse and/or abuse in administrative claims data.

METHODS

We developed an algorithm to identify gabapentin misuse and/or abuse over a 12-month period based on input from 21 clinical experts. We implemented the algorithm among 334,128 patients with at least one dispensed prescription of gabapentin between December 1, 2017 and December 1, 2018 in the IBM® MarketScan® Research Databases. We described the characteristics of patients who potentially misused and/or abused gabapentin and assessed factors associated with misuse and/or abuse using logistic regression.

RESULTS

The algorithm identified 17.6% of patients with gabapentin use who potentially misused and/or abused gabapentin. Factors associated with potential gabapentin misuse and/or abuse included men (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.08; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-1.10), comorbid conditions (e.g., drug and alcohol dependence (aOR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.24-1.39); bipolar disorder (aOR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.27-1.41)), and medication use (e.g., opioids (aOR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.20-1.26), muscle relaxants (aOR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.21-1.27), or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (aOR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.29-1.36)).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately one in six patients with gabapentin use potentially misused and/or abused gabapentin in a large commercial claims database. Multiple comorbidities and drug use were associated with gabapentin misuse and/or abuse. Monitoring requirements and individualized safety measures should be put in place for patients at elevated risks of gabapentin misuse and/or abuse.

Otologic opioid usage and pain control in the postoperative period: An observational prospective study

PURPOSE

Evaluate opioid prescribing patterns, opioid consumption, and patient pain patterns following otologic surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients were included if they were ≥18 years old and received otologic surgery between November 2019 and August 2020. Patients were provided a survey which included a visual analog scale for recording their pain postoperatively and the amount of opioid they had remaining. Patients who did not complete all portions of the survey were excluded.

RESULTS

Ninety-one patients completed the post-operative questionnaire. Collectively, patients were prescribed 5797 morphine milligram equivalents and used 3092: approximately 47% went unused. Of patients receiving a transcanal incision (n = 28/91, 31%), 70% went unused, whereas patients receiving a postauricular incision (n = 57/91, 63%), 38% went unutilized. The utilization difference between transcanal and postauricular cohorts was significant (p = 0.002). On multivariate analysis, patients who received a postauricular incision had 60% more opioid usage (p < 0.001), whereas those with a transcanal incision had an average reduction of 40% in opioid usage (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant amount of opioid medication went unused in this study. Patients with postauricular incisions had significantly increased opioid utilization as compared to those with transcanal incisions. Otologists may be able to successfully manage pain in the postoperative period with a reduced opioid prescription multimodal analgesia and increased patient education. Further study is needed to support this suggestion.

Nonmedical Opioid Use After Short-term Therapeutic Exposure in Children: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

Opioid-related harms continue to rise for children and youth. Analgesic prescribing decisions are challenging because the risk for future nonmedical opioid use or disorder is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To synthesize research examining the association between short-term therapeutic opioid exposure and future nonmedical opioid use or opioid use disorder and associated risk factors.

DATA SOURCES

We searched 11 electronic databases.

STUDY SELECTION

Two reviewers screened studies. Studies were included if: they were published in English or French, participants had short-term (≤14 days) or an unknown duration of therapeutic exposure to opioids before 18 years, and reported opioid use disorder or misuse.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data were extracted, and methodologic quality was assessed by 2 reviewers. Data were summarized narratively.

RESULTS

We included 21 observational studies (49 944 602 participants). One study demonstrated that short-term therapeutic exposure may be associated with opioid abuse; 4 showed an association between medical and nonmedical opioid use without specifying duration of exposure. Other studies reported on prevalence or incidence of nonmedical use after medical exposure to opioids. Risk factors were contradictory and remain unclear.

LIMITATIONS

Most studies did not specify duration of exposure and were of low methodologic quality, and participants might not have been opioid naïve.

CONCLUSIONS

Some studies suggest an association between lifetime therapeutic opioid use and nonmedical opioid use. Given the lack of clear evidence regarding short-term therapeutic exposure, health care providers should carefully evaluate pain management options and educate patients and caregivers about safe, judicious, and appropriate use of opioids and potential signs of misuse.

Descriptive Analysis of Inpatient and Outpatient Cohorts Seeking Treatment After Prescription Opioid Misuse and Medical Toxicology Evaluation

INTRODUCTION

Medical toxicology expertise has expanded into the addiction medicine realm including outpatient medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and addiction treatment. Concomitantly, the emergency department (ED) and hospital are increasingly seen as important sites for the screening, prevention, and treatment of patients with substance use disorders and addiction. This analysis seeks to characterize patients seen by medical toxicologists for opioid use and opioid use disorder (OUD) in the ED and inpatient consultation setting (inpatient) versus in the OUD clinic (outpatient) setting.

METHODS

We searched the American College of Medical Toxicology's Toxicology Investigators Consortium Case Registry, a prospective, de-identified, national dataset that includes patients receiving medical toxicology consultation following prescription opioid misuse. The dataset also includes patients seen in outpatient MOUD clinics during the same period between June 2013 and November 2015. Intentional self-harm patients were excluded. We analyzed medical history, drug use patterns, and other factors with odds ratios and confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Of 110 patients identified, 60 (54.5%) were inpatients and 50 (45.5%) outpatients. Mean age (39 years), gender (68% male), and race breakdown (60% white/non-Hispanic) were similar. The outpatient group was more likely to have Medicare/Medicaid coverage (p<0.0001). By history, the outpatient group was more likely to have past alcohol misuse, intravenous drug use, prescription drug misuse, and prescription opioid misuse. Most inpatient group members sought a recreational high compared to avoiding withdrawal or treating dependence in the outpatient group.

CONCLUSION

Patients treated in the outpatient compared to inpatient setting were more likely to report adverse sequelae from their drug use including long-term drug use, depression, previous rehabilitation attempts, and seeking to avoid withdrawal.

Abuse Deterrent Formulations in Constraining the Abuse Potential of Prescription Medicines: A Myth or Truth

BACKGROUND

Diverse pain killers used for the management of varied categories of pain are being misused in order to have extreme pleasant effect by a large number of populations. To overcome the misuse of prescription drugs, regulatory bodies have given stress on development of abuse resistance.

METHODS

We studied numerous literatures: (1) Research and review papers including the guidelines for pain management, abuse, and abuse deterrence; (2) Description and categorization of pain along with the management approaches; (3) advantages and disadvantages of the abuse deterrent formulations were described.

RESULTS

Abuse deterrent formulations are the contemporary remedial treatment for pain with reduced prospects of being abused. But these comprise the huge expense in contrast to the generic drugs as well as the non-deterrent branded equivalents.

CONCLUSION

Many challenges are faced throughout the development of abuse deterrent formulations. These formulations displayed substantial drop in abuse incidences but it may lead to other modes of abuse which may prove more harmful for the users.

Risk assessment of using off-label morphine sulfate in a population-based retrospective cohort of opioid-dependent patients

AIMS

Several addictovigilance studies have described the off-label use of morphine sulfate (MS) for nonchronic pain in opioid use disorder (OUD) patients as an alternative to conventional opioid substitution treatments (OSTs). This study primarily sought to compare the incidence of unintentional opioid-related overdose in the year following the prescription initiation in off-label MS users, compared to OST-maintained patients.

METHODS

Sequential cohorts of OUD patients who were regularly dispensed MS, buprenorphine, or methadone, between 1 April 2012 and 31 December 2014, were retrospectively identified using the French nationwide healthcare data system. The incidence of overdoses, deaths, doctor shopping, and complications of a viral, bacterial or thrombotic nature, was compared using the Cox regression method.

RESULTS

Overall, 1075, 20 834 and 9778 OUD patients without chronic-pain were included in the MS, buprenorphine, and methadone cohorts, respectively. Overdose incidence was 3.8 (P < .01 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.1-6.8]) and 2.0 (P = .02 [95%CI: 1.1-3.6]) higher in the MS cohort vs buprenorphine and methadone, respectively. Death incidence was 9.1 (P < .01 [95%CI: 3.2-25.9]) and 3.9 (P < .01 [95%CI: 1.4-10.7]) higher in the MS cohort vs buprenorphine and methadone, respectively. The incidences of other associated risks were significantly higher in the MS group vs OSTs, except for hepatitis C viral infection and thrombotic complications.

CONCLUSION

This first French comprehensive nationwide study reveals increasing overdose, death, bacterial infection, abuse and diversion risks when off-label MS is initiated as alternative to OST. These results question the relevance of prescribing MS as a safe opioid maintenance treatment, considering its health risk profile.

Assessing Patients' Risk for Opioid Use Disorder

Opioid use disorder and opioid misuse continue to increase rapidly in prevalence in North America. Nurses play a critical role in managing pain in patients who are at risk for opioid use disorder. The interplay of pain and opioid use disorder provides nurses with an opportunity to address urgent needs while treating patients across the continuum of care. This article reviews strategies for assessing risk for opioid use disorder while treating patients with pain. Implementing these approaches into daily nursing practice may improve patient care and help reduce the incidence of opioid use disorder.

Patterns of prescription opioid utilization among adolescents and adults with comorbid chronic pain and mental health diagnosis

Our goal was to examine the association between mental health disorders (MHD) and subsequent risk of opioid use among commercially insured youth and adults (aged 14-64 years) with comorbid chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) conditions. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using IQVIA Health Plan Claims database from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2015. Chronic noncancer pain was defined as any diagnosis of back, head, neck, arthritis, or chronic pain (index date). Mental health disorders were assessed in the 12 months before the index pain diagnosis. Based on days supply (none, acute, and chronic) and average daily dose (none, low, medium, and high), we constructed a 7-level categorical dependent measure of opioid use. We estimated the overall prevalence of MHD and opioid receipt. Among those with CNCP, multinomial logistic regression (AOR; 95 confidence interval) was used to estimate the association of MHD with opioid receipt. Among 879,815 individuals diagnosed with CNCP, 143,923 (16.4%) had comorbid MHD. Chronic/high-dose use of opioids was more common among those with CNCP and MHD compared to those with only CNCP. After adjusting for demographic and clinical factors, individuals with comorbid CNCP and MHD were significantly more likely to be prescribed opioids compared to those with only CNCP conditions. This effect varied by average daily dose and days supply: acute/low dose (1.08; 1.07-1.08); chronic/low dose (1.49; 1.49-1.50); acute/medium dose (1.07; 1.07-1.08); chronic/medium dose (1.61; 1.61-1.62); acute/high dose (1.03; 1.02-1.03); and chronic/high dose (1.53; 1.53-1.54). In individuals with CNCP, having a MHD was a strong predictor of prescription opioid use, particularly chronic use.

Balancing opioid analgesia with the risk of nonmedical opioid use in patients with cancer

The current opioid crisis has brought renewed attention and scrutiny to opioid prescriptions. When patients receiving opioid therapy for pain engage in nonmedical opioid use (NMOU) or diversion, untoward consequences can occur. New evidence suggests that patients with cancer might be at a higher risk of NMOU than was previously thought, but clinical evidence still supports the use of opioid analgesics as the gold standard to treat cancer-related pain, creating a dilemma in patient management. Clinicians are encouraged to adopt a universal precautions approach to patients with cancer receiving opioids, which includes screening all patients; discussing the risks, benefits, adverse effects and alternatives of opioid therapy; and providing education on safe use, storage and disposal. Use of urine drug tests, prescription drug monitoring programmes and close observation of behaviours related to opioid use help to ensure treatment adherence, detect NMOU and support therapeutic decision-making. These measures can optimize the risk-benefit ratio while supporting safe opioid use. In this Review, we examine the role of opioids in cancer pain, the risk of substance use disorder and methods to achieve the right balance between the two in order to ensure safe opioid use.

Factors associated with prescription pain reliever misuse: An analysis of statewide data

OBJECTIVES

Characterize the individual-level risk factors associated with recent prescription pain reliever misuse (PPRM).

DESIGN

A multivariable logistic regression was developed with 21 covariates.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

The 2015 Ohio Medicaid Assessment Survey (OMAS) was analyzed. The 2015 OMAS was a complex-designed representative survey of all adult Ohioans, regardless of Medicaid status (n = 42,876).

OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome was PPRM within the past year ("yes" vs. "no").

RESULTS

An estimated 2.75% of adults in Ohio reported PPRM in the past year (approximately 242,232 individuals). The regression model identified 11 covariates with significantly higher odds of PPRM within the past year. The 5 covariates with the largest, significant effect sizes were binge drinking habits (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] for binge drinking in the past month: 2.35, 95% CI 1.97-2.81; AOR for drinking in the past month but no bingeing: 1.43, 95% CI 1.22-1.67), did not get medical examination, medical supplies, mental health care, or eyeglasses in the past year because of cost (AOR 1.74, 95% CI 1.44-2.11), no insurance (AOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.15-2.45), emergency room visits in the past year (AOR 1.66, 95% CI 1.42-1.93), and had problems paying medical bills in the past year (AOR 1.52, 95% CI 1.29-1.80).

CONCLUSION

In this cross-sectional study of 42,847 adult Ohioans, the covariates associated with PPRM in the past year were identified and quantified. The significant covariates can be broadly grouped into substance use history, poor health care access, demographic characteristics, and chronic health conditions. The single covariate with the largest effect size was binge drinking in the past month; those individuals were more than twice as likely to have endorsed PPRM in the past year compared with those who did not drink at all in the past month.

Evaluation of Abuse-Deterrent Characteristics of Tablets Prepared via Hot-Melt Extrusion

In this study, the effect of formulation variables and process parameters on the abuse-deterrent (AD) characteristics of a matrix tablet manufactured using hot-melt extrusion (HME) was investigated. The formulation variables included polyethylene oxide (PEO) grades and its input level, while the HME process parameters varied were barrel temperature profile and die diameter. Depending on the diameter of the extrudate (2.5 mm or 5.0 mm), two different downstream processes were used to prepare the tablets: cryo-milling followed by compression for the 2.5 mm extrudate, and cutting followed by compression for the 5.0 mm extrudate. A D-optimal statistical design was used to evaluate the impact of formulation and process parameters on various responses, including tablet physical strength, particle size after manipulation, syringeability and injectability, solution viscosity, extractability in solvents, and dissolution rates. It was found that the post-HME extrusion processing method played a critical role in affecting the AD characteristics of abuse-deterrent formulations, likely through changing the tablet compactability and porosity. When the extrudates were cryo-milled-compressed, the tablets could be readily manipulated by milling, which led to high degree of extractability. Under high alcohol concentration, burst drug release was observed for the tablets compressed from cryo-milled extrudates. Additionally, heat exposure during HME process caused significant drop in PEO solution viscosity, likely due to thermal degradation.

Opioid Prescribing in an Opioid Crisis: What Basic Skills Should an Oncologist Have Regarding Opioid Therapy?

OPINION STATEMENT

Although clinical evidence supports the use of opioids for cancer-related pain, doing so amidst the current opioid crisis remains a challenge. A proportion of opioid-related deaths in the USA are attributable to prescription opioids, which implicates health care providers as one of the major contributors. It is therefore even more important now for all clinicians to follow safe and effective opioid prescribing practices. Oncologists are often in the frontline of cancer pain management. They are encouraged to use validated tools to screen all patients receiving opioids for high risk behaviors. Those identified as high risk for potential abuse of opioids should be monitored closely. When aberrant behavior is detected, the clinician will need to openly discuss the issue and its possible implications. Oncologists may then implement measures such as limiting the dose and quantity of opioids prescribed, shortening interval between follow-ups for refills to allow for increased monitoring, setting boundaries/limitations, weaning off opioid analgesics, or/and referring to a pain or palliative medicine or drug addiction expert for co-management when necessary. These efforts may aid oncologists in safely managing cancer pain in the environment of national opioid crisis.

Abuse Deterrent Immediate Release Egg-Shaped Tablet (Egglets) Using 3D Printing Technology: Quality by Design to Optimize Drug Release and Extraction

Opioid abuse is a growing problem and has become a national health crisis over the past decade in the USA. Oral ingestion, snorting, and injection are the most commonly employed routes of abuse for an immediate release product. To circumvent these issues, we have developed an egg-shaped tablet (egglet) using fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing technology. Drug-loaded polymeric filaments (1.5 mm) were prepared using hot melt extrusion (HME) followed by printing into egglets of different sizes and infill densities. Based on printability and crush resistance, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was found to be the most suitable polymer for the preparation of abuse deterrent egglets. Further, egglets were evaluated and optimized for mechanical manipulation using household equipment, milling, particle size distribution, solvent extraction, and drug release as per the FDA guidance (November 2017). A multifactorial design was used to optimize egglets for solvent extraction and drug release. Extreme hardness (> 500 N) and very large particle size (> 1 mm) on mechanical manipulation confirmed the snorting deterring property while less than 15% drug extraction in 5 min (% S_ext) demonstrated the deterrence for injection abuse. Quality target product profile D85 < 30 min and % S_ext < 15 was achieved with egglets of 6 mm diameter, 45% infill density, and 15% w/w drug loading. Dose of drug can be easily customized by varying dimension and infill density without altering the composition. HME coupled with FDM 3D printing could be a promising tool in the preparation of patient-tailored, immediate release abuse deterrent formulation.

Pillars and Pitfalls of the New Pharmacovigilance Legislation: Consequences for the Identification of Adverse Drug Reactions Deriving From Abuse, Misuse, Overdose, Occupational Exposure, and Medication Errors

Rationale: The aim of this study is to investigate if following the implementation of the Regulation EU/1235/2010 and the Directive 2010/84/EU there was an increase of individual case safety reports (ICSRs) deriving from a medication error, abuse, misuse, overdose, or occupational exposure. Other objectives are the identification of drugs mostly involved in such cases, to establish if the codification of aforementioned conditions is performed correctly and, whenever codification errors exist, to identify predictors of codification errors. Finally, we estimated the magnitude of these errors on signal detection activities. Methods: ICSRs sent through Campania Region (Italy) spontaneous reporting system from July 2nd 2012 to December 31th 2017 were used as data source. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of codification errors. Four measures of disproportionality were used to investigate the magnitude of codification errors on a known safety signal or rather the association between benzodiazepines derivatives and abuse. Results: In all, 358 (1.4%) out of 25610 ICSRs reported "non-normal use" of drugs, mainly as cases of abuse. Drugs mostly involved in abuse were "Benzodiazepines derivatives" (171/358; 47.8%). For medication errors instead, "Other antiseptics and disinfectants" (9/358; 2.5%). At the first quality control, 125 (34.9%) out of 358 ICSRs did not have a codification of "non-normal use" or codifications were performed wrongly. Codification errors included misclassification of abuse as overdose (10/125; 8.0%) and misclassification of medication error as overdose (7/125; 5.6%) or abuse (7/125; 5.6%). Compared to pharmaceutical companies, patients/citizens (as reporters) had a 24.88 higher odd (Reporting Odds Ratio 24.88, 95%CI 1.82-449.95; p-value: 0.02) of performing un-classification or misclassification of aforementioned codifications. Codification errors were associated with the underestimation of measure of disproportionality' estimates in the identification of the safety signal "Benzodiazepine derivatives /abuse". Conclusion: In conclusion, this study found that in Campania Region (southern Italy) there was an exponential increase of ICSR reporting "non-normal use," mainly as cases of abuse, with an improvable proportion of cases misclassified/unclassified. Moreover, this study found that ICSRs sent by patients/citizens were associated with an increased odd of un-classification or misclassification that had a relevant impact on signal detection activities.

Using prescription claims to detect aberrant behaviors with opioids: comparison and validation of 5 algorithms

OBJECTIVE

Compare and validate 5 algorithms to detect aberrant behavior with opioids: Opioid Misuse Score, Controlled Substance-Patterns of Utilization Requiring Evaluation (CS-PURE), Overutilization Monitoring System, Katz, and Cepeda algorithms.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

We identified new prescription opioid users from 2 insurance databases: Medicaid (2000-2006) and Clinformatics Data Mart (CDM; 2004-2013). Patients were followed 1 year, and aberrant opioid behavior was defined according to each algorithm, using Cohen's kappa to assess agreement. Risk differences were calculated comparing risk of opioid-related adverse events for identified aberrant and nonaberrant users.

RESULTS

About 3.8 million Medicaid and 4.3 million CDM patients initiated prescription opioid use. Algorithms flagged potential aberrant behavior in 0.02% to 12.8% of initiators in Medicaid and 0.01% to 7.9% of initiators in CDM. Cohen's kappa values were poor to moderate (0.00 to 0.50 in Medicaid; 0.00 to 0.30 in CDM). Algorithms varied substantially in their ability to predict opioid-related adverse events; the Overutilization Monitoring System had the highest risk differences between aberrant and nonaberrant users (14.0% in Medicaid; 13.4% in CDM), and the Katz algorithm had the lowest (0.96% in Medicaid; 0.47% in CDM).

CONCLUSIONS

In 2 large databases, algorithms applied to prescription data had varying accuracy in identifying increased risk of adverse opioid-related events.

A Concept Analysis of Substance Misuse to Inform Contemporary Terminology

Previous diagnostic categories of substance abuse and dependence have given way to the current view that substance use disorders occur on a continuum with a broad range of severity. This current view is featured in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM V). In recognizing the role of stigma in preventing persons from seeking substance use treatment, advocates have called attention that particular terminology can fuel such stigma. To mitigate the negative effects of such stigmatizing language, the International Society of Addiction Journal Editors (ISAJE) recommends against using previously-used and possibly pejorative terminology for substance abuse and dependence, unless a particular scientific justification exists. The purpose of this paper is to: (1) present a concept analysis of the term substance misuse and (2) recommend an alternate term for substance misuse that is neither pejorative nor inadvertently stigmatizing: at-risk substance use.

Risk Factors for Opioid-Use Disorder and Overdose

Opioid analgesics are recognized as a legitimate medical therapy for selected patients with severe chronic pain that does not respond to other therapies. However, opioids are associated with risks for patients and society that include misuse, abuse, diversion, addiction, and overdose deaths. Therapeutic success depends on proper candidate selection, assessment before administering opioid therapy, and close monitoring throughout the course of treatment. Risk assessment and prevention include knowledge of patient factors that may contribute to misuse, abuse, addiction, suicide, and respiratory depression. Risk factors for opioid misuse or addiction include past or current substance abuse, untreated psychiatric disorders, younger age, and social or family environments that encourage misuse. Opioid mortality prevalence is higher in people who are middle aged and have substance abuse and psychiatric comorbidities. Suicides are probably undercounted or frequently misclassified in reports of opioid-related poisoning deaths. Greater understanding and better assessment are needed of the risk associated with suicide risk in patients with pain. Clinical tools and an evolving evidence base are available to assist clinicians with identifying patients whose risk factors put them at risk for adverse outcomes with opioids.

Exploring Opioid-Sparing Multimodal Analgesia Options in Trauma: A Nursing Perspective

Challenges with opioids (e.g., adverse events, misuse and abuse with long-term administration) have led to a renewed emphasis on opioid-sparing multimodal management of trauma pain. To assess the extent to which currently available evidence supports the efficacy and safety of various nonopioid analgesics and techniques to manage trauma pain, a literature search of recently published references was performed. Additional citations were included on the basis of authors' knowledge of the literature. Effective options for opioid-sparing analgesics include oral and intravenous (IV) acetaminophen; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs available via multiple routes; and anticonvulsants, which are especially effective for neuropathic pain associated with trauma. Intravenous routes (e.g., IV acetaminophen, IV ketorolac) may be associated with a faster onset of action than oral routes. Additional adjuvants for the treatment of trauma pain are muscle relaxants and alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. Ketamine and regional techniques play an important role in multimodal therapy but require medical and nursing support. Nonpharmacologic treatments (e.g., cryotherapy, distraction techniques, breathing and relaxation, acupuncture) supplement pharmacologic analgesics and can be safe and easy to implement. In conclusion, opioid-sparing multimodal analgesia addresses concerns associated with high doses of opioids, and many pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic options are available to implement this strategy. Nurses play key roles in comprehensive patient assessment; administration of patient-focused, opioid-sparing, multimodal analgesia in trauma; and monitoring for safety concerns.

Patterns of Opioid Prescribing for an Orthopaedic Trauma Population

OBJECTIVES

To determine opioid-prescribing practices to the orthopaedic trauma (OT) population at one Level I trauma center.

DESIGN

A retrospective study of discharge prescriptions for adult patients with OT. Prescription details, injury burden, and patient demographics were abstracted for patients from initial injury through a 2-month follow-up.

SETTING

Level I trauma center.

PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS

Adult patients with OT admitted over a 30-day period (n = 110).

INTERVENTION

All discharge and follow-up opioid prescriptions were recorded.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) per day, number of opioid prescriptions, type/dose of medication prescribed.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-five discharge prescriptions were written for 110 patients with orthopaedic injuries during the review period. All patients received opioids at the time of discharge. The MMEs prescribed at the time of discharge was 114 mg (54-300 mg) for a mean of 7.21 days (2-36.7 days). Although patients with preinjury risk factors were prescribed discharge opioids for a similar duration (7.00 days vs. 7.30 days, P = 0.81) than those without risk factors, they were prescribed significantly more MMEs than those without (130 vs. 108, P < 0.05) and were more likely to receive extended-release and long-acting opioids than those without (42.11% vs. 21.98%).

CONCLUSIONS

Pain management after OT continues to be opioid-centric despite involving a population at risk. Further focus on prescriber and patient education, risk evaluation with mitigation, guideline development, and comprehensive pain management strategies are warranted in the OT population.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Past-year prevalence of prescription opioid misuse among those 11 to 30years of age in the United States: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There are high levels of prescription and consumption of prescription opioids in the US. Misuse of prescription opioids has been shown to be highly correlated with prescription opioid-related morbidity and mortality including fatal and non-fatal overdose. We characterized the past-year prevalence of prescription opioid misuse among those 11-30years of age in the US.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out following a published protocol and PRISMA guidelines. We searched electronic databases; reports were eligible if they were published between 1/1/1990-5/30/2014, and included data on individuals 11-30years of age from the US. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

A total of 3211 abstracts were reviewed for inclusion; after discarding duplicates and identifying non-eligible reports, a total of 19 unique reports, providing 34 estimates, were included in the final systematic review and meta-analysis. The range of past-year prescription opioid misuse prevalence the reports was 0.7%-16.3%. An increase in prevalence of 0.4% was observed over the years of data collection.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review and meta-analysis found a high prevalence of past-year prescription opioid misuse among individuals 11-30years of age. Importantly, we identified an increase in past-year prevalence 1990-2014. Misuse of prescription opioids has played an important role in national increases of fatal and non-fatal drug overdose, heroin use and injection, and HIV and HCV infection among young people. The observed high and increasing prevalence of prescription opioid misuse is an urgent public health issue.

Assessing the impact of abuse-deterrent opioids (ADOs): identifying epidemiologic factors related to new entrants with low population exposure

OBJECTIVE

Prescription opioid misuse and abuse is a serious public health concern that can lead to overdose, addiction, and death. The development of opioid formulations designed to deter misuse and abuse is considered an important step towards addressing the problem, but the extent to which abuse-deterrent opioids (ADOs) actually deter abuse in the community requires confirmation through epidemiologic studies. Epidemiologic evaluations of misuse and abuse present several unique challenges related to study design, sources of data, and methodology, particularly for new entrant ADOs with low population exposure. The purpose of this article is to review the critical methodologic issues that must be considered when designing an epidemiologic evaluation of prescription opioid misuse and abuse, and deterrence for new entrant ADOs.

METHODS

A systematic feasibility assessment was conducted by critically evaluating and applying epidemiologic principles to combinations of epidemiology study design, study directionality, population, data source, clinical and patient-reported endpoints, type of comparator, effect size, and the ability to control for confounding variables.

RESULTS

Ten epidemiologic factors were identified that are considered key to an epidemiologic evaluation, and the issues associated with each are summarized.

CONCLUSION

Given the low population exposure of new entrant ADOs, there is limited feasibility in conducting the epidemiologic studies necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of these products in deterring abuse. Clear regulatory guidance is needed.

Pregabalin for the Treatment of Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms: A Comprehensive Review

Treatments for physical dependence and associated withdrawal symptoms following the abrupt discontinuation of prescription drugs (such as opioids and benzodiazepines), nicotine, alcohol, and cannabinoids are available, but there is still a need for new and more effective therapies. This review examines evidence supporting the potential use of pregabalin, an α2δ voltage-gated calcium channel subunit ligand, for the treatment of physical dependence and associated withdrawal symptoms. A literature search of the MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases up to and including 11 December 2015 was conducted. The search term used was '(dependence OR withdrawal) AND pregabalin'. No other date limits were set and no language restrictions were applied. Works cited in identified articles were cross-referenced and personal archives of references also searched. Articles were included based on the expert opinions of the authors. There is limited evidence supporting the role of pregabalin for the treatment of physical dependence and accompanying withdrawal symptoms associated with opioids, benzodiazepines, nicotine, cannabinoids, and alcohol, although data from randomized controlled studies are sparse. However, the current evidence is promising and provides a platform for future studies, including appropriate randomized, placebo- and/or comparator-controlled studies, to further explore the efficacy and safety of pregabalin for the treatment of withdrawal symptoms. Given the potential for pregabalin misuse or abuse, particularly in individuals with a previous history of substance abuse, clinicians should exercise caution when using pregabalin in this patient population.

Same-day use of opioids and other central nervous system depressants amongst people who tamper with pharmaceutical opioids: A retrospective 7-day diary study

OBJECTIVE

The aims were to determine: (i) quantity and frequency of same-day use of opioids with benzodiazepines and/or alcohol amongst people who regularly tamper with pharmaceutical opioids; and (ii) socio-demographic, mental health, harms and treatment profile associated with same-day use of high doses.

METHOD

The cohort (n=437) completed a retrospective 7-day diary detailing opioid, benzodiazepine, and alcohol intake. Oral morphine equivalent (OME) units and diazepam equivalent units (DEU) were calculated, with >200mg OME, >40mg DEU and >4 standard alcoholic drinks (each 10g alcohol) considered a "high dose".

RESULTS

One-half (47%) exclusively consumed opioids without benzodiazepines/alcohol; 26% had days of opioid use with and without benzodiazepines/alcohol; and 26% always used opioids and benzodiazepines/alcohol. Same-day use of opioids with benzodiazepines/alcohol typically occurred on 1-3days in the past week. Six in ten (61%) participants reported high dose opioid use on at least one day; one in five (20%) reported high dose opioid and high dose benzodiazepine/alcohol use on at least one day. The latter group were more likely to use prescribed opioid substitution therapy, often alongside diverted pharmaceutical opioids. Socio-demographic and clinical profiles did not vary according to high dose opioid, alcohol and benzodiazepine use, and there was no association with harms.

CONCLUSIONS

Same-day use of opioids with benzodiazepines/alcohol, and high dose combinations, are common amongst people who tamper with pharmaceutical opioids. Assessment of concomitant benzodiazepine/alcohol use during opioid therapy, implementation of real-time prescription monitoring systems, and research to clarify upper safe limits for polydrug depressant use, are potential implications.

Current Regulations Related to Opioid Prescribing

It is the responsibility of medical professionals to do all that is possible to safely alleviate pain. Opioids are frequently prescribed for pain but are associated with the potential for misuse, addiction, diversion, and overdose mortality, and thus they are strictly regulated. To adhere to legitimate practice standards, physicians and other health care providers who prescribe opioids for pain, particularly on a long-term basis, need current information on federal and state laws, treatment guidelines, and regulatory actions aimed at reducing opioid-related harm. The number of opioid-prescribing policies is increasing as federal and state governments increase scrutiny to alleviate opioid-related problems in society. Failure to adequately comply with opioid-prescribing laws and policies may put a prescriber at risk for legal or regulatory sanctions. Necessary actions include thorough documentation of prescribing decisions and assessment and follow-up of patient risk for opioid misuse or addiction. Tools to check for patient adherence to the prescribed regimen include prescription monitoring databases and urine drug screening. This article presents an overview of the legal and regulatory framework surrounding controlled substances law. It further discusses recent actions at the federal and state level to prevent opioid-related harm.

A Tool to Assess Risk of De Novo Opioid Abuse or Dependence

BACKGROUND

Determining risk factors for opioid abuse or dependence will help clinicians practice informed prescribing and may help mitigate opioid abuse or dependence. The purpose of this study is to identify variables predicting opioid abuse or dependence.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study using de-identified integrated pharmacy and medical claims was performed between October 2009 and September 2013. Patients with at least 1 opioid prescription claim during the index period (index claim) were identified. We ascertained risk factors using data from 12 months before the index claim (pre-period) and captured abuse or dependency diagnosis using data from 12 months after the index claim (postperiod). We included continuously eligible (pre- and postperiod) commercially insured patients aged 18 years or older. We excluded patients with cancer, residence in a long-term care facility, or a previous diagnosis of opioid abuse or dependence (identified by International Classification of Diseases 9th revision code or buprenorphine/naloxone claim in the pre-period). The outcome was a diagnosis of opioid abuse (International Classification of Diseases 9th revision code 304.0x) or dependence (305.5).

RESULTS

The final sample consisted of 694,851 patients. Opioid abuse or dependence was observed in 2067 patients (0.3%). Several factors predicted opioid abuse or dependence: younger age (per decade [older] odds ratio [OR], 0.68); being a chronic opioid user (OR, 4.39); history of mental illness (OR, 3.45); nonopioid substance abuse (OR, 2.82); alcohol abuse (OR, 2.37); high morphine equivalent dose per day user (OR, 1.98); tobacco use (OR, 1.80); obtaining opioids from multiple prescribers (OR, 1.71); residing in the South (OR, 1.65), West (OR, 1.49), or Midwest (OR, 1.24); using multiple pharmacies (OR, 1.59); male gender (OR, 1.43); and increased 30-day adjusted opioid prescriptions (OR, 1.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Readily available demographic, clinical, behavioral, pharmacy, and geographic information can be used to predict the likelihood of opioid abuse or dependence.

Clinical and Public Health Considerations in Urine Drug Testing to Identify and Treat Substance Use

BACKGROUND

To expand appropriate use of substance use testing, practitioners must increase their knowledge of the appropriate methodology, scope, and frequency. Yet, there is a current lack of accepted guidelines on clinical testing to identify and treat substance use.

OBJECTIVES

This article (1) conveys the importance of substance use testing as a clinical and public health response to trends of prescription drug abuse and increased access to medical and commercialized marijuana; (2) summarizes central features of the rapidly evolving science and the practice of patient-centered substance use testing in a clinical setting; and (3) provides recommendations that balance costs and benefits and serve as a starting point for appropriate testing to prevent, identify, and treat substance use disorders.

METHODS

The author conducted a search of peer-reviewed and government-supported articles and books in electronic databases and used her own knowledge and clinical experience.

RESULTS

The author makes recommendations for determining the methodology, scope, and frequency of testing in each stage of care based on clinical considerations and methodological factors. Conclusion/Importance: Integrating sensible substance use testing broadly into clinical health care to identify substance use, diagnose substance use disorders, and guide patients into treatment can improve health outcomes and reduce the costs of substance use and addiction. No single testing regimen is suitable for all clinical scenarios; rather, a multitude of options, as discussed herein, can be adapted to meet a patient's unique needs. Ultimately, the practitioner must combine patient-specific information with knowledge of test technologies, capabilities, limitations, and costs.

Risk based in vitro performance assessment of extended release abuse deterrent formulations

High strength extended release opioid products, which are indispensable tools in the management of pain, are associated with serious risks of unintentional and potentially fatal overdose, as well as of misuse and abuse that might lead to addiction. The issue of drug abuse becomes increasingly prominent when the dosage forms can be readily manipulated to release a high amount of opioid or to extract the drug in certain products or solvents. One approach to deter opioid drug abuse is by providing novel abuse deterrent formulations (ADF), with properties that may be viewed as barriers to abuse of the product. However, unlike regular extended release formulations, assessment of ADF technologies are challenging, in part due to the great variety of formulation designs available to achieve deterrence of abuse by oral, parenteral, nasal and respiratory routes. With limited prior history or literature information, and lack of compendial standards, evaluation and regulatory approval of these novel drug products become increasingly difficult. The present article describes a risk-based standardized in-vitro approach that can be utilized in general evaluation of abuse deterrent features for all ADF products.

A Guide for Pain Management in Low and Middle Income Communities. Managing the Risk of Opioid Abuse in Patients with Cancer Pain

Most patients who present with cancer have advanced disease and often suffer moderate to severe pain. Opioid therapy can be safe and effective for use in cancer patients with pain, but there are rightful concerns about inappropriate opioid use even in the cancer population. Since cancer patients live longer than ever before in history (and survivors may have long exposure times to opioid therapy), opioid misuse among cancer patients is an important topic worthy of deeper investigation. Cancer patients with pain must be evaluated for risk factors for potential opioid misuse and aberrant drug-taking behaviors assessed. A variety of validated screening tools should be used. Of particular importance is the fact that pain in cancer patients changes frequently, whether it is related to their underlying disease (progression or remission), pain related to treatment (such as painful chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy), and concomitant pain unrelated to cancer (such as osteoarthritis, headache, or back pain). Fortunately, clinicians can use universal precautions to help reduce the risk of opioid misuse while still assuring that cancer patients get the pain therapy they need. Another important new “tool” in this regard is the emergence of abuse-deterrent opioid formulations.

Clinical monitoring and high-risk conditions among patients with SUD newly prescribed opioids and benzodiazepines

BACKGROUND

Opioid therapy alone or in combination with benzodiazepines poses safety concerns among patients with substance use disorders (SUD). Guidelines for opioid therapy recommend SUD treatment and enhanced monitoring, especially in patients with additional risk factors, but information on monitoring practices is sparse. This study estimated high-risk conditions - psychiatric comorbidity, suicide risk, and age <35 and ≥65 - and described clinical monitoring among patients with SUD who were newly prescribed opioids alone and concurrent with benzodiazepines long-term.

METHODS

This study included VA Northwest Veterans Network patients with SUD who started opioids only (n=980) or benzodiazepines and opioids concurrently (n=353) long-term (≥90 days) in 2009-2010. Clinical characteristics, outpatient visits and urine drug screens (UDS) documented within 7-months after starting medications were extracted from VA data.

RESULTS

Approximately 67% (95% CI: 64-70) of opioids only and 94% (92-97) of concurrent medications groups had ≥1 psychiatric diagnoses. Prevalences of suicide risk and age <35 and ≥65 were 7% (5-8), 6% (5-8) and 18% (15-20) among the opioids only group, and 20% (16-24), 8% (5-11) and 13% (9-16) among the concurrent medications group. Among patients prescribed opioids only and medications concurrently, 87% and 91% attended primary care, whereas 28% and 26% attended SUD specialty-care. Overall, 30% and 48% of opioids only and concurrent medications groups engaged in mental health or SUD care, and 35% and 39% completed UDS.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvements in clinical monitoring are needed as many VA patients with SUD and comorbid risks who initiate opioid therapy do not receive sufficient mental health/SUD care or UDS monitoring.

Laboratory-induced cue reactivity among individuals with prescription opioid dependence

Prescription opioid (PO) dependence is a critical health problem. Although examination of drug cue reactivity paradigms has advanced the understanding of risk factors for relapse for a variety of substances (e.g., cocaine, alcohol, nicotine), no PO specific drug cue paradigm has been developed. The current study addressed this gap in the literature and evaluated the ability of a newly developed PO drug cue paradigm to elicit subjective, physiological, and neuroendocrine changes among PO-dependent participants (n = 20) as compared to controls (n = 17). The drug cue paradigm included an induction script, viewing and handling paraphernalia (e.g., bottle of oxycontin pills, pill crusher) and watching a video depicting people using POs as well as places related to POs (e.g., pharmacies). Consistent with hypotheses, the PO group demonstrated significant pre- to post-cue increases on subjective ratings of craving, difficulty resisting POs, stress, and anger. The control group did not demonstrate significant changes on any of the subjective measures. Both the PO group and the control group evidenced significant pre- to post-cue increases in physiological responses (e.g., blood pressure, skin conductance), as expected given the arousing nature of the drug cue stimuli. The PO group, but not the control group, evidenced a significant pre- to post-cue increase in heart rate and salivary cortisol levels. The development and validation of a drug cue paradigm for POs may help inform future research and treatment development efforts for patients with PO dependence.

Chronic pain treatment with opioid analgesics: benefits versus harms of long-term therapy

Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is a disabling chronic condition with a high prevalence rate around the world. Opioids are routinely prescribed for treatment of chronic pain (CP). In the past two decades there has been a massive increase in the number of opioid prescriptions, prescribed daily opioid doses and overall opioid availability. Many more patients with CNCP receive high doses of long-acting opioids on a long-term basis. Yet CP and related disability rates remain high, and majority of the patients with CNCP are dissatisfied with their treatments. Intersecting with the upward trajectory in opioid use are the increasing trends in opioid related adverse effects, especially prescription drug abuse, addiction and overdose deaths. This complex situation raises questions on the relevance of opioid therapy in the treatment of CNCP. This article reviews current evidence on opioid effectiveness, the benefits and harms of long-term therapy in CNCP.

American Society for Pain Management nursing position statement: pain management in patients with substance use disorders

The American Society for Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN) has updated its position statement on managing pain in patients with substance use disorders. This position statement is endorsed by the International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA) and includes clinical practice recommendations based on current evidence. It is the position of ASPMN and IntNSA that every patient with pain, including those with substance use disorders, has the right to be treated with dignity, respect, and high-quality pain assessment and management. Failure to identify and treat the concurrent conditions of pain and substance use disorders will compromise the ability to treat either condition effectively. Barriers to caring for these patients include stigmatization, misconceptions, and limited access to providers skilled in these two categories of disorders. Topics addressed in this position statement include the scope of substance use and related disorders, conceptual models of addiction, ethical considerations, addiction risk stratification, and clinical recommendations.

Abuse liability measures for use in analgesic clinical trials in patients with pain: IMMPACT recommendations

Assessing and mitigating the abuse liability (AL) of analgesics is an urgent clinical and societal problem. Analgesics have traditionally been assessed in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) designed to demonstrate analgesic efficacy relative to placebo or an active comparator. In these trials, rigorous, prospectively designed assessment for AL is generally not performed. The Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials (IMMPACT) convened a consensus meeting to review the available evidence and discuss methods for improving the assessment of the AL of analgesics in clinical trials in patients with pain. Recommendations for improved assessment include: (1) performing trials that include individuals with diverse risks of abuse; (2) improving the assessment of AL in clinical trials (eg, training study personnel in the principles of abuse and addiction behaviors, designing the trial to assess AL outcomes as primary or secondary outcome measures depending on the trial objectives); (3) performing standardized assessment of outcomes, including targeted observations by study personnel and using structured adverse events query forms that ask all subjects specifically for certain symptoms (such as euphoria and craving); and (4) collecting detailed information about events of potential concern (eg, unexpected urine drug testing results, loss of study medication, and dropping out of the trial). The authors also propose a research agenda for improving the assessment of AL in future trials.

Can we build an efficient response to the prescription drug abuse epidemic? Assessing the cost effectiveness of universal prevention in the PROSPER trial

PURPOSE

Prescription drug abuse has reached epidemic proportions. Nonmedical prescription opioid use carries increasingly high costs. Despite the need to cultivate efforts that are both effective and fiscally responsible, the cost-effectiveness of universal evidence-based-preventive-interventions (EBPIs) is rarely evaluated. This study explores the performance of these programs to reduce nonmedical prescription opioid use.

METHODS

Sixth graders from twenty-eight rural public school districts in Iowa and Pennsylvania were blocked by size and geographic location and then randomly assigned to experimental or control conditions (2002-2010). Within the intervention communities, prevention teams selected a universal family and school program from a menu of EBPIs. All families were offered a family-based program in the 6th grade and received one of three school-based programs in 7th-grade. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of each school program by itself and with an additional family-based program were assessed using propensity and marginal structural models.

RESULTS

This work demonstrates that universal school-based EBPIs can efficiently reduce nonmedical prescription opioid use. Further, findings illustrate that family-based programs may be used to enhance the cost-effectiveness of school-based programs.

CONCLUSIONS

Universal EBPIs can effectively and efficiently reduce nonmedical prescription opioid use. These programs should be further considered when developing comprehensive responses to this growing national crisis.

Oxycodone extended-release using gel-cap technology to resist alteration and abuse for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pain

SUMMARY Abuse of commercial oxycodone extended-release is common, fueling motivation by drug developers to investigate new formulations intended to resist alteration and abuse without compromising effective around-the-clock analgesia. An oral formulation of oxycodone extended-release that uses gel-cap technology as a tamper-resistant barrier is currently in development. Gel-cap oxycodone extended-release met the primary end point of significantly improved mean pain intensity scores compared with placebo in a Phase III, placebo-controlled trial. In studies of abuse liability, preliminary results indicate the formulation could be less attractive to would-be abusers. Unanswered questions include whether less real-world abuse and increased safety would follow product launch and how this and other formulations aimed at reducing abuse potential might affect adherent patients.

Pharmacokinetics, tolerability, and safety of intranasal administration of reformulated OxyContin(®) tablets compared with original OxyContin (®) tablets in healthy adults

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Reformulated OxyContin(®) (oxycodone-HCl controlled release) tablets (ORF) became available in the United States in August 2010. The original formulation of OxyContin(®) (oxycodone-HCl controlled release) tablets (OC) used a delivery system that did not provide inherent resistance to crushing and dissolving. The objective of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics, tolerability, and safety of finely crushed ORF tablets, coarsely crushed ORF tablets, and finely crushed OC tablets.

METHODS

This randomized, single-blind, single-dose, single-center, six-sequence, triple-treatment, triple-period crossover study enrolled eligible healthy adults (aged 18-55 years inclusive). The study evaluated the pharmacokinetics, tolerability, and safety of intranasally administered ORF, both finely crushed and coarsely crushed, as well as finely crushed OC tablets. Plasma oxycodone concentrations were quantified and analyzed to determine the maximum observed plasma concentration (C max), time to maximum plasma concentration (t max), area under the plasma concentration-time curve from hour 0 to the last measurable plasma concentration (AUC(last)), and area under the plasma concentration-time curve extrapolated to infinity (AUC(∞)). The abuse quotient (AQ), calculated as C(max)/t(max), served as an index of the average rate of increase in drug concentration from dosing to t max. Intranasal tolerability rating scales (discomfort, itching, burning, pain, runny nose, and stuffiness) and intranasal endoscopy were conducted. Safety assessments included adverse events, vital signs, pulse oximetry (SpO2), and electrocardiograms.

RESULTS

Of 83 subjects screened and enrolled, 30 were randomized to period 1, with 1 subject subsequently discontinuing due to the subject's choice. Mean C max values for finely crushed ORF (17.1 ng/mL) and coarsely crushed ORF (15.5 ng/mL) were lower than that for finely crushed OC (22.2 ng/mL). Median t max for finely crushed OC (1.0 h) was shorter than that for either finely crushed ORF (2.0 h) or coarsely crushed ORF (3.0 h). Mean AQ values were approximately 66 and 80 % lower, respectively, for finely crushed ORF and coarsely crushed ORF than that for finely crushed OC. Finely crushed ORF, coarsely crushed ORF, and finely crushed OC demonstrated similar total oxycodone exposures (AUC(∞)). Insufflation of ORF produced greater nasal discomfort and stuffiness than finely crushed OC, although the latter produced higher runny nose scores. No significant difference was found in other nasal tolerability measures. The overall safety profile was as expected following opioid administration in healthy subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to OC, both finely and coarsely crushed ORF retained some control of oxycodone release. Reduced C(max) and increased t max for ORF resulted in lower AQ scores for ORF compared with OC. ORF was associated with greater intranasal irritation than OC. These data suggest that ORF has a lower intranasal abuse potential than OC.

Management of chronic pain with chronic opioid therapy in patients with substance use disorders

Substance use disorders (SUDs), whether active or in remission, are often encountered in patients with chronic nonmalignant pain. Clinicians are challenged when managing chronic pain while facing substance abuse issues during the course of chronic opioid therapy (COT). Further, the interrelated behavioral symptomatology of addiction and chronic pain suggests that if one disorder is untreated, effective treatment of the other in not possible. Incomplete understanding of the overlapping presentations of the two disorders, coupled with insufficient management of both conditions, leads to undertreated pain and premature discharge of SUD patients from pain treatment. In order to achieve pain relief and optimal functionality, both conditions need to be carefully managed. This paper reviews the prevalence of SUDs in chronic pain patents; the overlapping presentation of the two disorders; risk factors and stratification for addiction; identification of addiction in the chronic pain population; and suggestions for treating patients with COT, with an emphasis on relapse prevention. With appropriate assessment and treatment, COT for chronic pain patients with a history of SUD can be successful, leading to improved functionality and quality of life.

Abuse potential, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of intranasally administered crushed oxycodone HCl abuse-deterrent controlled-release tablets in recreational opioid users

The objective of this study was to evaluate abuse potential, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of intranasally administered, crushed reformulated OxyContin® (oxycodone HCl controlled-release) tablets (ORF), relative to crushed original OxyContin® (OC), oxycodone powder (Oxy API), and OC placebo. This randomized, double-blind, positive- and placebo-controlled crossover study enrolled healthy, adult, nonphysically dependent recreational opioid users with recent history of intranasal drug abuse (N = 27). Active treatments contained oxycodone (30 mg). Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics (e.g., Overall Drug Liking [ODL], Take Drug Again [TDA], and High Visual Analog Scales [VAS]; Subjective Drug Value [SDV]; pupillometry; intranasal irritation), and safety (e.g., adverse events, vital signs, laboratory tests) were assessed to 24 hours postdose. Crushed ORF administration yielded reduced oxycodone Cmax and increased Tmax versus crushed OC and Oxy API. Peak effects for pharmacodynamic measures were delayed with ORF (1-2 hours) versus OC and Oxy API (0.5-1 hour). ODL, TDA, High VAS, and SDV Emax values were significantly lower (P ≤ .05) and some intranasal irritation ratings were greater for ORF versus OC and Oxy API. No significant or unexpected safety findings were observed. Compared with OC and Oxy API, intranasally administered ORF was associated with lower and delayed peak plasma concentrations, decreased drug-liking, and decreased intranasal tolerability. This suggests that ORF has a decreased potential for intranasal oxycodone abuse. There were no significant or unexpected safety findings. As is true for all abuse potential studies, epidemiological or other appropriate post-marketing studies are required to assess the impact of the reduction in intranasal oxycodone abuse potential observed in the present study on real-world patterns of ORF misuse, abuse, and diversion.