Long Acting Opioids
Approximately 50 million individuals suffer chronic pain in the United States. Most patients with chronic pain are undertreated: only 55% say their pain is “under control” (Chronic Pain in America Study, American Academy of Pain Management, American Pain Society and Janssen, 1999) and only 23% say their medications are "very effective." (Voice of Chronic Pain Survey, American Pain Foundation, May 2006).
Continuous suppression of pain through the use of around the clock opioid analgesics is now recommended in chronic pain treatment guidelines. Conventional (so called “immediate-release” or “short acting”) opioid analgesics usually require dosing every 4-6 hours in chronic pain. Extended release formulations (also known as “long acting”, “sustained release” or “controlled release”) are the standard of care in chronic pain. Extended release opioids can provide fewer interruptions in sleep, reduced dependence on caregivers, improved compliance and enhanced quality of life outcomes. In addition, such dosage forms may provide more constant plasma concentrations and clinical effects, less frequent peak to trough fluctuations and fewer side effects, compared with short acting opioids.
According to IMS Health, the 2009 U.S. market for opioid analgesics was $8.5 billion. Of this, extended release opioids accounted for $4.8 billion (CAGR 8%), representing 22 million prescriptions (CAGR 9.3%). The market leader, OxyContin® had annuals sales of $2.9 billion in 2009 (IMS Health).
Extended Release Oxycodone Sales
