Fentanyl Nasal Spray Wins Approval For Treating Breakthrough Cancer Pain

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Lazanda (fentanyl), a nasal spray designed to alleviate breakthrough pain for adult cancer patients who have become tolerant to opioid therapy, Archimedes Pharma Ltd. and its subsidiary Archimedes Pharma U.S. Inc. announced June 30.

Patients who are at least 18 years old, who are taking opioid drugs, but who have become inured to opiate painkilling effects, are candidates for the new drug, according to Archimedes, whose U.S. headquarters are in Bedminster, N.J. Lazanda is the first drug for Archimedes to receive U.S. approval. The company already sells the drug in five European countries ...