FDA Approves New Opioid With Less Respiratory Depression And Addiction Potential Than Morphine and Why it is important

FDA Approves New IV Opioid Olinvyk (Oliceridine)

A top level FDA official said: “Addressing the opioid crisis remains a top priority for the FDA,” per Dr Douglas Throckmorton, deputy director for regulatory programs in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

Oliceridine is a full opioid agonist and is relatively selective for the mu-opioid receptor. It is indicated for short-term IV use in hospitals and other controlled clinical settings. Following an initial dose, the onset of analgesic effect is expected within 2 to 5 minutes. 

The key to Oliceridine’s Improved respiratory profile is key and important here. This has the potential for being a breakthrough. Despite using the same mu receptors as Morphine, Oliceridine owes this improvement in its separate secondary pathway massager system it uses once the mu receptor becomes activated.

Oliceridine is G-Protein Biased mu receptor agonist. While morphine is an unbiased agonist morphine and uses the cyclic AMP (cAMP) cascade. The differences are as result of how ‘mechanically” Morphine and Oliceridine each bind the G-Protein receptors. This specific binding can be further studied to target more favorable safety profiles in opioids even further in the future.

Aside from reduced respiratory depression, G-protein-biased agonists such as oliceridine may reduce opioid maladaptations and enhance the quality of surgical recovery.

Studies also have shown that Oliceridine as compared to pother narcotics decreased narcotic seeking behavior in rats. These researchers Proposed that: “ G protein-biased mu opioid receptor agonists should be considered as relapse prevention maintenance treatment for opioid addiction.”

This great science resulting in a potentially much improved opioid analgesic.