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New Painkiller Awaits FDA Approval

-November 17, 2008

Alpharma, an international pharmaceutical manufacturer, is currently awaiting FDA approval for a new morphine-based painkiller that will supposedly reduce the possibility of addiction. The new pain reliever is known as ALO-01 and will be marketed under the brand name Embeda.

Addiction to Prescription Painkillers
Addiction to pain medication is one of the fastest growing addictions in the nation. While nearly two million Americans use opiate-based prescription painkillers each year, experts estimate that as much as 9 percent of Americans have or continue to abuse them.

This means that more people seek treatment for painkiller addiction than for heroin. In many cases, addiction to painkillers starts when people use these drugs following an accident, injury, surgery or illness. As patients regularly take these drugs in pursuit of recovery, many slowly develop crippling addictions to them.

How ALO-01 Works
To relieve pain, ALO-01 contains a form of slow-release, long-acting morphine that can reduce pain for anywhere between 12 and 24 hours. In addition to the active morphine, ALO-01 also contains naltrexone, a medication that negates the euphoric effects of morphine.

Naltrexone is commonly used to treat both drug and alcohol addictions.

Looking for a Quicker High
Interestingly, the naltrexone within ALO-01 is activated when the pills are crushed and/or chewed. Those addicted to painkillers typically crush prescription pills before ingesting them to get a quicker high.

Consequently, those seeking a "quick fix" from ALO-01 will not experience the altered states associated with morphine if they somehow crush the pill before ingesting it.

Warnings: Addiction Still Possible
While the inclusion of naltrexone in ALO-01 can dramatically reduce the possibility of addiction, Joseph Stauffer, a representative of Alpharma, has warned that addiction to these pills is still possible.

Stauffer explained that, although ALO-01 is revolutionary in that it contains barriers to addiction, those looking for a way to abuse drugs will overcome such barriers.

The FDA is expected to make its decision regarding ALO-01 in early 2009.

(Source: Reuters)

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