A Nonopioid Patch for Postsurgical Pain

The Journal of Controlled Release discusses the use of a bioresorbable poly(ester urea) (PEU) film that delivers etoricoxib, a nonopioid COX-2 inhibitor, for postsurgical pain. The painkillers are released to a wound via a patch, which eventually dissolves. Coauthor Matthew Becker, a professor of chemistry at Duke, explains that PEU differs from most polymers, which swell and release everything at once. This one, however, slowly erodes, offering a longer period of dosing controlled by the thickness and size of the patch.

“If you can get four or five days of pain control out of the patch and not have to take those other pain drugs, not only do you avoid some of the side effects and risks of addiction, you’re concentrating therapy where you need it,” Becker said. In rat studies, the painkiller didn’t dissolve into circulating plasma, but rather stayed close to the patch site in tissues. The patch works for 3 to 4 postsurgical pain days.

 

Read about the study.

Access the journal article.

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• wound care