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Pharmacokinetics and Bioequivalence Evaluation of a New Oxycodone Tamper-Resistant Tablet Administered with an Opioid Antagonist in Patients with Chronic Pain

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Abstract

Background and Objectives

Oxycodone tamper resistant (OTR) is a new extended-release abuse-deterrent formulation providing improvements in the tamper resistant characteristics. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetic properties of the new OTR tablets and evaluate the bioequivalence of oxycodone from OTR and the original extended release (ER) formulation tablets administered with an opioid antagonist in patients with chronic pain.

Methods

In this open-label, randomized, cross-over study, the enrolled patients were randomised to receive a single dose of 40 mg OTR or 40 mg OXYCONTIN® (OXY) tablet administered with naltrexone blockade under fasting conditions. Serial blood samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were collected. Plasma oxycodone was quantified by a high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) method. Tolerability was evaluated by monitoring adverse events, physical examinations, 12-lead ECG and laboratory tests.

Results

A total of 38 patients were enrolled and 33 subjects completed the study. After a single dose of 40 mg tablets, pharmacokinetic results of the new OTR tablet were found to be similar to those of original extended-release oxycodone tablet. OTR 40 mg was bioequivalent to OXY 40 mg and was well tolerated in patients with chronic pain.

Conclusions

The new OTR formulation could provide a new choice in the treatment of chronic pain and reduce the potential for oxycodone abuse.

Chictr.org identifier: ChiCTR1800017253.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. GCP Center/Institute of Drug Clinical Trials, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China

    Zhu Luo, Jia Miao, Shiqing Shu, Ying Wang, Xiaohong Zhu & Chao Hu

  2. Department of Abdominal Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China

    Yali Shen

Authors
  1. Zhu Luo
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  2. Jia Miao
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  3. Shiqing Shu
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  4. Ying Wang
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  5. Xiaohong Zhu
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  6. Chao Hu
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  7. Yali Shen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yali Shen.

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Funding

The study was sponsored and funded by Mundipharma (China) Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Beijing, People’s Republic of China).

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared that no financial relationships with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work; no other relationships or activities that could influence the submitted work.

Ethical approval

The study protocol was approved by the Independent Ethics Committee of West China Hospital, Sichuan University (Chengdu, China). All procedures in this study were carried out in accordance with the Helsinki declaration.

Informed consent

Written informed consent was obtained from each subject before screening procedures.

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Luo, Z., Miao, J., Shu, S. et al. Pharmacokinetics and Bioequivalence Evaluation of a New Oxycodone Tamper-Resistant Tablet Administered with an Opioid Antagonist in Patients with Chronic Pain. Clin Drug Investig 40, 139–148 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40261-019-00870-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40261-019-00870-w

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