to 2016, surgeons have written 18% more new opioid prescriptions,
5 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U N E 2 0 1 9
Here's a quick look at 3
non-opioid post-op pain
drugs under development:
• IV tramadol. Avenue
Therapeutics announced
positive topline results
from a second phase 3
trial evaluating the safety
and efficacy of intravenous
(IV) tramadol for the management of post-op pain following
abdominoplasty surgery. In a phase 3 double-blind, placebo-con-
trolled trial that involved 370 patients, tramadol IV demonstrated
similar efficacy and safety benefits to that of morphine IV.
• ATB-352. Antibe Therapeutics is planning to pursue a Fast
Track designation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to
speed up the development of and regulatory approval process for
ATB-352, a potent and non-addictive drug available in both intra-
venous and tablet forms for long- and short-term treatment of
severe pain. ATB 352 is a derivative of ketoprofen, a potent NSAID
for acute pain.
• ZH853. This new type of non-addictive opioid is said to be as
strong as morphine without morphine's side effect. It reportedly
accelerates recovery time from pain compared with morphine,
according to a new study published in the Journal of
Neuroinflammation. ZH853 is an engineered variant of the neuro-
chemical endomorphin, which is found naturally in the body.
— Dan O'Connor
3
New
Non-Opioids
IN THE PIPELINE
PAIN CONTROL Surgeons are reducing excessive opioid prescriptions by
exploring pain management strategies that include fewer or no opioids.
