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Related Concept Videos

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids01:15

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids

Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners01:20

Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners

Opioids are a class of drugs that mimic endogenous opioid peptides and act on opioid receptors, and help in pain relief. These compounds are classified as natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic. Natural opioids, like morphine, codeine, and thebaine, are derived from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum or Papaver album) and are termed opiates. Synthetic opioids are artificial, while semi-synthetic opioids combine natural and synthetic compounds. Morphine, a prototypical opioid, possesses a...
Opioid Receptors: Overview01:22

Opioid Receptors: Overview

Opioid receptors, including the mu (μ, MOR), delta (δ, DOR), and kappa (κ, KOR) types, belong to the rhodopsin family of G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors are located throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and in non-neuronal tissues such as macrophages and astrocytes. Opioid receptor ligands can be categorized into agonists or antagonists. Highly selective agonists include [d-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly(ol)5]-enkephalin or DAMGO for MOR, [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]-enkephalin or DPDPE for...
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
Phase I Reactions: Reductive Reactions01:27

Phase I Reactions: Reductive Reactions

Phase I biotransformation reductive reactions are chemical processes that modify drugs by introducing or revealing polar functional groups via reduction. Enzymes called reductases catalyze these reactions, playing a pivotal role in drug metabolism by transforming lipophilic drugs into more polar, water-soluble metabolites for easy excretion. An essential type of reductive reaction is the carbonyl group reduction, where aldehydes and ketones are reduced to alcohols. An example is the...
Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Continuous-Release Systems01:26

Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Continuous-Release Systems

Continuous-release drug delivery systems offer a strategic approach to maintaining therapeutic drug levels over extended periods following oral administration. By modulating the release rate of active pharmaceutical ingredients, these systems minimize fluctuations in plasma concentrations, which enhances clinical efficacy and reduces the need for frequent dosing. Such characteristics make them particularly advantageous in managing chronic diseases where patient adherence and stable drug...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Combining Laser Capture Microdissection and Microfluidic qPCR to Analyze Transcriptional Profiles of Single Cells: A Systems Biology Approach to Opioid Dependence
09:54

Combining Laser Capture Microdissection and Microfluidic qPCR to Analyze Transcriptional Profiles of Single Cells: A Systems Biology Approach to Opioid Dependence

Published on: March 8, 2020

Oxytrex: an oxycodone and ultra-low-dose naltrexone formulation.

Lynn R Webster1

  • 1Lifetree Clinical Research and Pain Clinic, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. lynnw@lifetreepain.com

Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs
|August 10, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Oxytrex, an oral oxycodone/naltrexone combination, shows promise in reducing opioid tolerance and dependence. Clinical studies suggest it may offer prolonged pain relief for chronic pain patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Pain Management
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Oxytrex combines oxycodone with ultra-low-dose naltrexone.
  • Animal studies suggest reduced physical dependence and analgesic tolerance.
  • It is in late-stage clinical development for chronic pain.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the oxycodone/naltrexone combination.
  • To assess the impact on opioid tolerance and dependence.
  • To explore the mechanism of ultra-low-dose naltrexone.

Main Methods:

  • Three clinical studies were conducted.
  • Studies included healthy volunteers and chronic pain patients.
  • Evaluated safety and efficacy of the oxycodone/naltrexone combination.

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High-throughput and Comprehensive Drug Surveillance Using Multisegment Injection-Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry
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High-throughput and Comprehensive Drug Surveillance Using Multisegment Injection-Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry

Published on: April 23, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Combining Laser Capture Microdissection and Microfluidic qPCR to Analyze Transcriptional Profiles of Single Cells: A Systems Biology Approach to Opioid Dependence
09:54

Combining Laser Capture Microdissection and Microfluidic qPCR to Analyze Transcriptional Profiles of Single Cells: A Systems Biology Approach to Opioid Dependence

Published on: March 8, 2020

High-throughput and Comprehensive Drug Surveillance Using Multisegment Injection-Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry
10:17

High-throughput and Comprehensive Drug Surveillance Using Multisegment Injection-Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry

Published on: April 23, 2019

Main Results:

  • Animal data indicate minimized physical dependence and analgesic tolerance.
  • Potential for prolonged analgesia observed.
  • Mechanism involves preventing G-protein coupling alterations in opioid receptors.

Conclusions:

  • The oxycodone/naltrexone combination may decrease opioid tolerance and physical dependence.
  • Ultra-low-dose naltrexone's mechanism may involve receptor activity modulation.
  • Oxytrex shows potential for improved chronic pain management.