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Core Topics => Drugs => Opiates & Opioids => Topic started by: shoybs on March 19, 2016, 03:42:01 PM

Title: Why no dual-layer opioid pills?
Post by: shoybs on March 19, 2016, 03:42:01 PM
I have a wicked flu right now and the other day I bought some Mucinex-D, and the pills are two layers - an instant release layer and a 12-hour extended release layer.

It got me wondering about why there aren't any dual layer opioid pills like that. Anyone have any thoughts? It seems like it would be a tremendously simple way for a pharmaceutical company to generate a nice, profitable new patent on an existing drug.

Title: Re: Why no dual-layer opioid pills?
Post by: DreamerOnTheRun on March 19, 2016, 05:25:42 PM
I'm not sure if they still make them, but I've actually had a few 16mg Hydromorphone "double-layer" pills.  8mg being IR & 8mg being CR.  I remember having to de-coat them, and then seperate the halves to be able to boot the IR half.  Kept the CR half for maintenance.  With no generics available I remember someone saying that without insurance they were INSANELY expensive, that I have no doubt.  IMO, in the US anyway, I'm glad they're not more.  As of now it's more cost effective to just prescribe an IR & CR, gives you the option of different drugs for breakthrough etc, isn't one more narcotic made medicinally useless via abuse deterrent & lastly would give big pharma even more bullshit patents to drive out generics and thus "bye-bye" reasonable prices.
Title: Re: Why no dual-layer opioid pills?
Post by: Z on March 19, 2016, 05:42:42 PM
I think there are hydromorphone OROS pills like concerta.  These could have an ir and er component.  I bet that doctors would rather prescribe separately to have more control over what exactly patients are taking.

Most er pills don't release steady over time anyways.  You tend to get a higher dose at first that tapers off over time.
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