The FDA has approved Tonmya (Tonix), a sublingual tablet formulation of the skeletal muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine, for treatment of fibromyalgia in adults. Cyclobenzaprine is available in immediate-release tablets and extended-release capsules for short-term treatment of muscle spasms and has been used off-label for treatment of fibromyalgia.
THE DISORDER — Fibromyalgia is a chronic generalized musculoskeletal pain disorder characterized by sleep disturbances, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and depression.
STANDARD TREATMENT — A tricyclic...
ISSUE
Zurnai (Purdue), an autoinjector formulation of the opioid antagonist nalmefene, has been approved by the FDA for intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC) emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose in persons ≥12 years old.1 Naloxone, another opioid antagonist, has been available in single-use syringes for years. Both nalmefene and naloxone are also available in nasal sprays; some naloxone nasal sprays (Narcan, and others) are available over the counter.2,3
NALMEFENE vs NALOXONE — Naloxone has been the drug of choice for emergency treatment of opioid overdose for many years.4 Because the half-life of naloxone (1-2 hours) is shorter than the duration of effect of most opioid agonists, repeat administration of the drug may be needed. In contrast, nalmefene has a longer half-life (~9-11 hours) than most opioid agonists, which could decrease the need for …