Therapy able to block both opioid high and withdrawal
pharmafile | June 26, 2017 | News story | Manufacturing and Production, Research and Development | Camurus, buprenorphine
A study into an injectable form of buprenorphine treatment for opioid abuse has found that the formulation is able to supress symptoms of opioid abuse and interferes with the euphoria associated with opioid use.
The potential aid, named CAM2038, was formulated by Camurus, a Swedish company focused on developing long-acting medicines for the treatment of chronic conditions. The two-pronged action of CAM2038 means that the formulation could potentially be extremely effective as a form of treatment for those addicted to opioids.
The Phase 2 study of Camurus’s therapeutic treatment was carried out by the University of Kentucky Center on Drug and Alcohol Research (CDAR). In 47 participants with moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder found that weekly injections of CAM2038 sustained the suppression of opioid withdrawal. It was also noted that the formula worked against the effects of a non-therapeutic opioid used in conjunction with the treatment.
“We’ve learned this therapy effectively blocks the effects of another opioid and produces sustained withdrawal suppression—two mechanisms by which a pharmacotherapy can lead to reduced illicit drug use,” CDAR’s Director, Sharon Walsh, said. “We can help more patients improve their health and psychosocial functioning if we reduce illicit drug use and drug injection behaviours. This study will be part of the submission for CAM2038 to be reviewed for approval by the Food and Drug Administration in the coming months. Sustained release formulations have the prospect of changing the treatment landscape, reaching more patients and reducing the risk of misuse and diversion of daily products.”
The development is of particular interest, as North America continues to struggle with the opioid crisis that has become a problem across many different states. The problem has become so severe that the FDA has taken drastic measures to try to curb the issue.
Ben Hargreaves
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