Salix Says FDA OKs Expanded Use Of Relistor Subcutaneous Injection

(RTTNews) - Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (SLXP) and Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (PGNX) said Monday that the Food and Drug Administration has approved Relistor Subcutaneous Injection, 12 mg/0.6ml, for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation, or OIC, in patients taking opioids for chronic non-cancer pain.

RELISTOR subcutaneous injection is currently the only available peripherally acting mu opioid receptor antagonist that is approved for treating OIC at the cause without interfering with the centrally acting analgesic properties of the opioid.

Relistor Subcutaneous Injection was approved in the United States in 2008 for the treatment of OIC in patients with advanced illness who are receiving palliative care, when response to laxative therapy has not been sufficient. The use of RELISTOR beyond four months has not been studied in the advanced illness population.

Relistor is under license to Salix from Progenics Pharmaceuticals.