In a first, FDA approves drug meant to mitigate symptoms of opioid withdrawal

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved for the first time a drug meant to mitigate the symptoms of opioid withdrawal — rather than an underlying dependency — giving American physicians a new tool to help patients begin treatment.

The drug, lofexidine, will be manufactured by Kentucky-based US WorldMeds and marketed as Lucemyra.

The new drug is viewed as an important bridge to some forms of medication-assisted treatment, which have been the focus of many state and federal efforts to improve addiction treatment and have been seen as an effective way to help many patients.

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