TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — U.S. regulators want a narcotic painkiller involved in the opioid epidemic off the market amid data showing people continue to abuse it.

The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday it has asked Endo Pharmaceuticals to stop selling its reformulated, extended-release painkiller, Opana ER, after concluding the drugs's risks outweigh its benefits.

It's the first time the FDA has asked a drugmaker to remove an opioid painkiller from the market. The agency said it has seen a "significant shift" from people crushing and snorting Opana ER to get high to injecting it.

Endo said...