Resumen de Extended-Release Opioid Returns to Market

Diane S. Aschenbrenner

• * Embeda (a combination of morphine and naltrexone) is an extended-release opioid analgesic used around the clock to treat severe, chronic pain. New labeling describes features that make the drug less likely to be abused.

  * The particles of naltrexone are kept separate from those of morphine. The opioid antagonist is released only if the pellets containing the naltrexone are crushed or dissolved. It's important to swallow the drug whole in order to prevent the release of naltrexone.