Mundipharma's Targin fares well vs oxycodone

Privately-held Swiss drugmaker Mundipharma says that Targin, its oral prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone combination tablet, is as effective as oxycodone alone in providing pain relief for patients with moderate-to-severe chronic pain while reducing the risk of opioid-induced constipation, according to Phase II and III data presented at the World Congress on Pain, in Glasgow, Scotland.

Findings from three multinational, randomized double-blind studies involving more than 1,000 patients demonstrate that Targin is an effective opioid analgesic, providing equivalent pain relief to oxycodone alone in patients with severe chronic pain, the firm stated.

One trial measured the analgesic efficacy of the agent using pain scale values measuring average daily pain. The extension phase of the study demonstrated that 24-hour average pain is comparable with prolonged-release oxycodone, and remained low and stable over 12 months. In a second late-stage study, Targin improved bowel function when compared to prolonged release oxycodone. The trial measured bowel movement, frequency of laxative intake and stool consistency. Results confirm that the agent reduces OIC, with an improvement in bowel function as early as one week in some patients.