Opioid-induced side effects can have a profound effect on the quality of life. These side effects are often associated with underlying medical conditions and should be confirmed by a thorough medical evaluation before commencing treatment with an opioid. Opioid-induced side effects are more likely to occur with prolonged use or abuse of prescription opioids. The treatment of these complications requires a comprehensive understanding of the physiology of pain, the mechanism of action of opioids, and the implications of adverse side effects of long term use. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that blocks both its action in the gastrointestinal tract and in the brain. Naloxone is administered intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously, although it is available as a nasal spray and an oral tablet.
Increasing consumption of opioids for treating cancer-related pain and acute pain is fueling the growth of the opioid induced side effects treatment market. Nausea, sedation, constipation, dizziness, vomiting, sweating, headache, respiratory depression, and physical dependence are some of the side-effects caused due to the consumption of opioids. According to the World Health Organization, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and is responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018. Globally, about 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer. Around 70% of deaths from cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries. Antihistamines such as fexofenadine, diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, cetirizine, and loratadine are some of the medications used for treatment of opioid induced side effects.
From the geographical point of view, North America is projected to gain significant growth over the forecast period and this is attributed to the higher drug abuse levels in the region which is creating demand for treatment of the side effects induced by opioids. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 70,000 Americans died from a drug-involved overdose in 2019, including illicit drugs and prescription opioids. Moreover, deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone (primarily fentanyl) continued to rise with more than 36,359 overdose deaths in 2019.
Key Developments:
In August 2020, RedHill and Daiichi Sankyo replaced their co-commercialization agreement for Movantik® with a new royalty-bearing agreement, under which RedHill will maintain sole and exclusive responsibility for the commercialization of Movantik® in the U.S.
In September 2018, Rhodes Technologies Inc. has been granted a patent for a new drug that could treat opioid addiction.
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