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How is Vantrela ER formulated to be abuse deterrent?

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 13, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Vantrela ER (hydrocodone bitartrate) uses Teva's proprietary abuse-deterrent technology based on a multi-layer gel-forming polymer coating that regulates drug release.

What is Vantrela ER?

Vantrela ER (hydrocodone) is an opioid agonist indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate.

Vantrela ER is formulated as extended-release tablets. It is a Schedule II controlled substance with a high potential for abuse and and dependence.

How is Vantrela ER Abuse-Deterrent?

Vantrela ER is formulated with physicochemical properties intended to make the tablet more difficult to manipulate. A multi-layer gel-forming polymer coating regulates drug release.

Vantrela ER resists crushing, breaking, and dissolution using a variety of tools and solvents and still retains some extended-release properties despite manipulation.

Vantrela ER will become viscous when crushed and dissolved in liquid, making injection difficult.

The abuse-deterrent properties of Vantrela ER are expected to reduce, but not totally prevent, oral, intranasal and intravenous abuse of the drug when the tablets are manipulated.

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