Endo Pharmaceuticals’ BELBUCA available now

Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced this week that BELBUCA (buprenorphine) buccal film is now available.

Endo Pharmaceuticals is a subsidiary of Endo International and is responsible for the development of BELBUCA buccal film, which is the first product of its kind designed with a dissolving film meant to be absorbed through cheek’s inner lining to treat chronic pain. BELBUCA has been released and is available for purchase nationwide.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved BELBUCA in October of 2015 to treat patients suffering from chronic pain that is so severe that they are in need of long-term, around-the-clock opioid treatment. The FDA approved BELBUCA based on two Phase 3 trials where patients suffering from severe pain showed significant improvement.

There are currently seven dosage strengths for BELBUCA. This will give physicians the opportunity to tailor dosage options to the specific needs of each individual patient.

BELBUCA is designed to act for long periods of time and utilizes the BioErodible MucoAdhesive (BEMA) delivery system that releases buprenorphine into the lining of the cheek, or the buccal mucosa. Buprenorphine, a Schedule III drug, has been identified as having a lower potential for abuse.