title: Oral hydromorphone extended-release.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the chemistry, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, tolerability, dosing, and role of the Osmotic-controlled Release Oral delivery System (OROS) hydromorphone extended-release (ER) tablets.
  
  
  METHODS
  A MEDLINE/PUBMED search (1986-August 2010) was conducted to identify studies in the English language, with additional references being obtained from their bibliographies.
  
  
  METHODS
  All studies of hydromorphone ER were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This is the second long-acting hydromorphone formulation to receive approval by the Food and Drug Administration (a twice-daily formulation was approved in September 2004, but was subsequently withdrawn in July 2005). Hydromorphone is a semi-synthetic mu-opioid receptor agonist structurally similar to morphine, hydrocodone, and oxymorphone. OROS ER technology allows once-daily dosing. Clinical trials have focused on the convertibility of (an) other opioid(s) to hydromorphone ER in chronic malignant and nonmalignant pain. This product displays the expected opioid side effects, being comparable to oxycodone controlled-release. Coadministration with ethanol does not produce the degree of "dose-dumping" seen with the former hydromorphone twice-daily product or oxymorphone ER. Hydromorphone ER is indicated for the management of moderate-to-severe pain in opioidtolerant patients requiring continuous, around-the-clock opioid analgesia for an extended period of time. Dosage adjustment is recommended in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class B) and moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance of 30-60 mL/min).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hydromorphone ER is the newest oral opioid to enter a crowded marketplace now totaling 15 different Schedule 2 opioids (including tapentadol), and tramadol, available in oral, parenteral, rectal, transdermal, transmucosal, and intranasal formulations. It does not appear to have any unique assets or liabilities and should be considered as one of many oral opioids available for the management of persistent pain of moderate-to-severe intensity.
authors.affiliation: Department of experimental and clinical pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA. guayx001@umn.edu
authors.forename: David R P
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Guay
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D004091:Hydromorphone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004091:Hydromorphone