Evaluation of the oral human abuse potential of Oxycodone DETERx® formulation (Xtampza® ER)

To further characterize the human abuse potential and pharmacokinetics (PK) of Oxycodone DETERx (Xtampza® ER) after intact and chewed oral administration.

Randomized, double-blind, triple-dummy, active- and placebo-controlled, single-dose, six-period, crossover comparison study.

Clinical research unit.

Adult, nondependent recreational opioid users who liked the effects of crushed immediate-release (IR) oxycodone in solution and were able to differentiate the effects from placebo solution.

Oral administration of intact Oxycodone DETERx (fasted and fed), chewed Oxycodone DETERx (fasted and fed), crushed IR oxycodone (fasted), and placebo (fed).

Subject ratings (100-point visual analog scales) of Drug Liking (primary measure) and Take Drug Again (key secondary measure).

The pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis included 52 subjects who completed the study; the PK analysis included 71 subjects. Compared with crushed IR oxycodone fasted, the least-squares mean maximum effect (E_max) was statistically significant (p < 0.01) for Drug Liking and Take Drug Again, respectively, for chewed Oxycodone DETERx fasted (LS mean difference ± standard error of the mean: 13.1 ± 2.2 and 10.0 ± 3.2 points) and fed (10.9 ± 2.2 and 9.7 ± 3.3 points) and intact Oxycodone DETERx fasted (12.2 ± 2.2 and 9.3 ± 3.3 points) and fed (10.3 ± 2.2 and 9.2 ± 3.3 points). Results were consistent for other PD measures (Good Effects, Feeling High). Chewed Oxycodone DETERx fasted and fed treatments were bioequivalent to the respective intact treatments based on PK parameters.

This study showed that when chewed or swallowed intact, under fasted or fed conditions, Oxycodone DETERx had statistically significantly lower abuse potential via the oral route compared with IR oxycodone.