ACTIQ® (fentanyl citrate) Now Registered in Australia.

 

The pain product ACTIQ® (fentanyl citrate), a lozenge with integral applicator for oromucosal use, was registered for use in Australia on November 15th, 2002. The Therapeutic Goods Administration has approved ACTIQ for "the management of breakthrough cancer pain in patients with malignancies who are already receiving and are tolerant to opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain."

ACTIQ is available in 6 dosage strengths - 200 / 400 / 600 / 800 / 1200 / 1600 micrograms (boxes of 3 lozenges). Clinical trials indicate that successful dose titration should be based on a patient’s individual pain response not on the dosage of the around-the-clock pain medication.

ACTIQ has been available in Australia via the Special Access Scheme (SAS) since December 2001. This unique formulation of the opioid, fentanyl, allows non-invasive oromucosal delivery using a palatable ‘lozenge on a stick’.

The main advantages of the ACTIQ lozenge are convenience and a rapid onset of action and duration of effect which closely mimic the profile of breakthrough pain. Breakthrough pain is a sudden and transitory exacerbation of pain that occurs on a background of otherwise controlled persistent pain.

During the SAS period, more than 50 patients have been treated with ACTIQ. ACTIQ was found to be generally well accepted and tolerated, with a high degree of patient and carer satisfaction. Professor David Currow from Flinders University said, "ACTIQ is a unique, easy-to-use product that provides a new dimension in the control of troublesome breakthrough pain. It allows effective and rapid control of the painful episode."

ACTIQ® is a trademark of Anesta Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Cephalon, Inc., USA, used under licence by Orphan Australia Pty Ltd.