Zydus launches pain relief drug

Ahmedabad-based Zydus Cadila Healthcare on Tuesday launched NuPatch, India's first indigenously manufactured Diclofenac transdermal patch for pain relief.

NuPatch is being manufactured at the company's transdermal facility at Moraiya in Ahmedabad. NuPatch's drug delivery system, through the transdermal delivery route, addresses two major problems posed by the traditional oral dosage form - local gastric irritation and the need to consume two to three doses in a day.

Nupatch contains a 100 mg of Diclofenac, a popular painkiller, a company statement said.

Instead of the thrice daily dosage as in the case of the oral dosage form, NuPatch needs to be applied just once daily and provides extended pain relief for 24 hours at a stretch.

The transdermal delivery route also scores over the gel as it need not be applied at the local site of the pain. In the case of arthritic patients suffering from pain in knee joints, NuPatch can be applied on their upper arms, the statement said.

NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen, Diclofenac and Nimesulide are the most commonly prescribed drugs for pain management. Conventionally, these drugs are administered as injections or as tablets given orally.

While the NSAIDs are very effective, they are also known to cause local gastric irritation when consumed orally. This led to the search of an alternative drug delivery route, which could provide relief and at the same time address the concerns of overall patient health.

There are an estimated 10 crore patients in India who suffer from various arthritic disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or other related conditions.

The side effects of NSAIDs taken through the oral route, especially their propensity to cause gastritis or ulcers, often impede their long-term use.

NuPatch can be effectively used to treat pain and inflammation associated with musculoskeletal disorders and soft tissue injury. It comes in handy in cases of sprains, mild ache and low back pain. Due to its distinct features, NuPatch also offers a superior alternative for better post-operative pain management, the company statement said.