oxycodone + niacin

Oxycodone + niacin (brand name: Acurox) is an immediate-release combination of the opioid analgesic oxycodone hydrochloride and subtherapeutic niacin (vitamin B3), developed as an abuse-deterrent formulation for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. The formulation utilizes Acura Pharmaceuticals' Aversion technology, which incorporates niacin as an aversive agent to induce unpleasant vasocutaneous effects, such as intense flushing, warmth, and itching, if the tablets are crushed and snorted or taken in excessive oral quantities. While oxycodone provides analgesia by binding to mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, the niacin component is intended solely to discourage misuse. The drug was developed by Acura Pharmaceuticals in partnership with King Pharmaceuticals (later acquired by Pfizer), but it failed to receive FDA approval in this specific formulation due to concerns regarding the efficacy of the niacin deterrent and potential side effects at therapeutic doses.

Brand names

Acurox

Other names

oxycodone hydrochloride + niacinoxycodone/niacin