FDA ap­proves first non-opi­oid to treat with­draw­al symp­toms in adults

The opi­oid ad­dic­tion mar­ket got a new play­er Wednes­day with the FDA ap­proval of Luce­myra, a pill that helps pa­tients man­age symp­toms of with­draw­al.

The drug, which has been used in the Unit­ed King­dom for more than two decades now, is made by Louisville, KY-based US WorldMeds. The spe­cial­ty phar­ma was not grant­ed ap­proval to treat opi­oid use dis­or­der, but in­stead to treat symp­toms of with­draw­al.

For those ad­dict­ed to opi­oids, quit­ting cold turkey can be a har­row­ing ex­pe­ri­ence. In as lit­tle as a few hours, pa­tients may ex­pe­ri­ence stom­ach cramps, mus­cle aches and spasms, a pound­ing heart, nau­sea, vom­it­ing and di­ar­rhea. Oth­er symp­toms in­clude anx­i­ety, ag­i­ta­tion, de­pres­sion and in­som­nia.

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