Cephalon drug shown to reduce breakthrough cancer pain

According to the company, cancer breakthrough pain is a common yet under treated component of chronic pain which is characterized by its fast onset.

“For breakthrough pain, you need a medication that comes closer to matching the rapid onset of the pain episodes and has a relatively short duration of action. Based on the results of the phase III clinical trials, FEBT appears to have that profile,” said Dr Donald Taylor, of Comprehensive Pain Care PC in Marietta, and an investigator in the study.

The investigational, sugar-free fentanyl tablet is placed between the upper cheek and the gum, where an effervescent reaction helps the active ingredient, fentanyl, dissolve and enhances the rate and extent of absorption. If approved by the FDA, FEBT would be the first oral buccal tablet developed specifically for the treatment of breakthrough pain in cancer patients.

The data from the phase III trial were presented at the annual meeting of the American Pain Society (APS).