Revolutionary Painkillers: Can They Significantly Lower Mortality Rates?

The Opioid Epidemic and New Pain Management Strategies

Overview of the Opioid Crisis

The opioid epidemic represents a significant public health issue in North America. In response, drug manufacturers are exploring innovative classes of painkillers aimed at addressing this critical challenge. Opioids are primarily utilized for pain management; however, one of their major side effects is respiratory depression. This condition occurs when breathing slows, impairing lung function. Respiratory depression is particularly concerning in cases of opioid overdose, as it can lead to fatal outcomes. The rising number of deaths due to opioid overdoses underscores the urgent need for safer pain relief options.

The Challenge of Creating Safer Pain Medications

Developing an effective pain medication that lacks the side effects associated with opioids poses a considerable challenge for the pharmaceutical industry.

Biased Opioid Agonists: A New Hope

Introduction to Biased Opioid Agonists

An article published in Science Magazine highlights a new class of painkillers known as biased opioid agonists. These medications are currently under investigation by drug manufacturers as potentially safer alternatives to traditional opioids. Biased opioid agonists selectively target the pain-relief pathways, offering a comparable level of pain relief to morphine without the associated risk of respiratory depression.

Recent Developments in Biased Opioid Agonists

Trevena, a biopharmaceutical company based in Pennsylvania, has recently submitted a new drug application to the FDA for oliceridine, an intravenous biased agonist opioid set to be marketed as Olinvo. Other pharmaceutical companies are also researching similar drugs that operate through this mechanism.

Addressing Dependence and Tolerance

Patients who have been on opioids for extended periods often face withdrawal symptoms when the medication is abruptly discontinued, highlighting issues of dependence. Furthermore, tolerance can develop, leading patients to require increasing doses to achieve the same effect. These concerns are also being examined as part of the research into this new class of painkillers.

Future of Pain Management

Potential Impact of Biased Opioid Agonists

Biased opioid agonists represent a promising advancement in pain management and could significantly enhance treatment options. As research continues, more information will emerge regarding their appropriate integration into pain management guidelines.

Author Information

Written by Anuolu Bank-Oni, Pharm.D, CDE, BCGP

Reference

Wadman, W. New painkillers could thwart opioids’ fatal flaw. Science Mag. Doi:10.1126/science.aar5090. November 16, 2017.