Content about Pain

INDIANAPOLIS The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new usage for a drug used to treat depression and pain.

Eli Lilly said Thursday that the FDA had approved Cymbalta (duloxetine hydrochloride) for treating chronic musculoskeletal pain. This is the fifth indication for which the agency has approved Cymbalta, after major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia, Lilly said.

CHARLESTON, S.C. Drug maker Purdue Pharma has donated $200,000 to the National Association of State Controlled Substances Authorities to address the abuse of prescription drugs, NASCSA said Tuesday.

The grant, presented at the group’s annual conference in Charleston, S.C., is designed to support state prescription drug monitoring programs. The NASCSA will be in charge of distributing the money to state agencies. Purdue is the maker of OxyContin (oxycodone), a commonly abused prescription opioid painkiller.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. —Thermionics’ ThermiPaq products, which now sport an eye-catching yellow “Control Your Pain!” panel as part of a new graphics package, has been a significant driver of growth within the heat/ice packs segment of late.

For the 52 weeks ended Aug. 8, Thermipaq sales were up 27.2%, reaching $6.1 million across food, drug and mass (minus Walmart) outlets, according to SymphonyIRI Group data. That growth is outpacing the category as a whole, which currently is trending up 6.1%.

RARITAN, N.J. The Food and Drug Administration turned down a regulatory approval application from Johnson & Johnson for a drug to treat chronic pain, J&J said Monday.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. Hi-Tech Pharmacal will market a generic version of a drug used to treat opioid dependence, the company said Monday.

Hi-Tech announced that it would market buprenorphine hydrochloride in the 2-mg and 8-mg strengths through its Midlothian Labs division. The drug is in the form of a tablet placed under the tongue.

The tablets are a generic version of Reckitt Benckiser’s Subutex, which had sales of $75 million during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

RICHMOND, Va. The Food and Drug Administration has approved Reckitt Benckiser’s treatment for opioid addiction, Reckitt Benckiser said.

The drug maker announced the approval of Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone), a drug delivered through a fast-dissolving film placed under the tongue. The film is based on a technology known as PharmFilm, made by MonoSol Rx.

IRVINGTON, N.Y. Prestige Brands has expanded its Little Remedies product line with a new analgesic for infants, toddlers and children.

New Little Fevers is concentrated infant drops with acetaminophen and indicated for the treatment of temporary fever and minor aches and pains which may be associated with the common cold, flu, headache, sore throat or toothache. The product is specially formulated to provide small concentrated doses for easier administration, Presitge Brands said.