"Fentora" is the newest one I'm familiar with. It's made by Cephelon, the same company that markets "Actiq", the fentanyl lollipop. Fentora is a fentanyl lozenge that you put between your cheek and gum. It works very similar to Actiq except that (1) It's not on a stick and (2) It dissolves much faster and works much faster. I've also read where it's more potent.

The patent for Actiq expired and is now available in generic (Barr). It's clear that Fentora is the company's way of replacing Actiq in terms of brand pricing. However, the company claims it's going to target different segments. Actiq is only approved for Cancer pain, but many Docs use it off label (I use it for example, and I don't have Cancer). Fentora is also approved for Cancer pain, but they have submitted paperwork to have it expanded for other types of general pain, especially back pain. I followed one of their quarterly conference calls and they talked about the huge market potential for pain meds and how they felt like Fentora would be approved for broad pain mgt use.

Fentora got off to a less than desirable start as there were a couple of deaths. Cephelon blamed the Docs saying that they used it for patients who weren't opioid tolerant.

A lot of the new research and meds on the horizon are fentanyl based.

Ex

It's really fascinating.

When I visit my pharmacy I can look into the glassed-in clean room where they do the compounding. Looks like a bunch of mad scientists. Not really. But there they are with gowns, gloves and masks, beakers, bunsen burners, and all kinds of base agents and you name it. I like to watch sometimes. They'll make darn near anything. I remember when there were no generics to Actiq, they had their own brand of buccal fentanyl lozenges. I asked about them but the cost was through the roof and, of course, insurance would have nothing to do with that.

steve

Oops - this had nothing to do with your post Brian. I AM losing it. Help me, please........