M6G equivalent to morphine in post-operative pain trial

Cambridge, UK-based CeNeS Pharmaceuticals says that post hoc analysis of data from a Phase III trial of M6G (morphine-6-glucuronide) showed that the drug was equivalent to morphine, in terms of post-operative pain relief, but was associated with less nausea and vomiting.

The analysis also revealed that the sedation effect in the M6G group was significantly reduced in the first four hours post surgery, than with equivalent morphine-based therapy. Furthermore, the drug reduced nausea and vomiting in female patients, who are traditionally at a higher risk of experiencing such events, to a statistically significant level.

CeNeS said that the results provide additional support for the belief that M6G is equivalent to morphine in terms of controlling pain, and that it has an improved side-effect profile. The firm said that it would use the reported data to further improve the design of planned Phase III assessments.