FDA Advisory Panel Recommends Long-Acting Opioid That Could Deter Abuse

An advisory panel to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended approving a long-acting opioid painkiller that the manufacturer says could deter abuse. The company that makes the new drug, Arymo ER, says it comes in a tablet that is extremely hard, making it more difficult to break down and abuse.

If Arymo comes into contact with liquid, it turns into a sticky gel that is difficult to inject.

The drug manufacturer, Egalet, acknowledges the drug does not eliminate the risk of abuse if a person tries to snort, chew or inject it, Reuters reports. The FDA is not required to follow its advisory committees’ recommendations, but usually does so.