The FDA has approved a new tablet formulation of immediate-release (IR) oxycodone (Oxecta – King) for management of acute and chronic moderate to severe pain.Oxecta uses a tamper-resistant technology designed to deter oxycodone abuse by injection or nasal snorting. Dissolving the crushed tablet in water or alcohol converts it into a viscous gel mixture, making it difficult to inject. Crushing the tablet and inhaling it through the nose causes burning and irritation. Whether the new formulation will actually prevent abuse of the drug has not been established. Oxecta is classified as a...

The FDA has approved a fixed-dose extended-release formulation of oxycodone and acetaminophen (Xartemis XR – Mallinckrodt) for oral treatment of acute pain severe enough to require an opioid. Oxycodone is available in the US as a single entity in oral immediate-release (Oxecta, and others) and extendedrelease (OxyContin) formulations. Immediate-release oxycodone is also available in combination with aspirin (Percodan, and others), acetaminophen (Percocet, and others), or ibuprofen (see Table 1).