Noteboom The Law Firm

FDA Approves New Drug to Manage Cancer Pain

A cancer diagnosis can sometimes lead to a person being unable to continue working, particularly if the treatment is especially rigorous and leaves the sufferer feeling sick, fatigued and in pain. Depending on the specific circumstances of your condition you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits.

According to press release from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the federal agency has approved a new drug to help manage cancer pain. An opioid analgesic, Abstral (fentanyl) transmucosal, has been approved in tablet form to help treat pain commonly associated with cancer. This has been approved for use by individuals who are 18 years and older.

These immediate release tablets dissolve on either the tongue or the inside of the cheek, gums or nasal passages. They can help manage what is known as breakthrough pain, short periods where pain comes on suddenly and cannot be relieved otherwise.

The drug will only be available by prescription from healthcare professionals who are skilled in the use of Schedule II opioids to treat cancer pain. Abstral will be made available solely through the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program in an effort to curb the potential risk of addiction, misuse, overdose and abuse.

Enrollment in REMS will be required by healthcare professionals, distributors and pharmacies in order to prescribe, distribute or dispense the medication.

Some of the common side effects have been drowsiness, headache, nausea and constipation.

Consulting with a Social Security disability attorney is the best way to determine if you qualify for disability benefits or to receive help on appealing a claim if you have been denied.

When you are interviewing Social Security Disability attorneys ask critical questions, like: how many Social Security Disability hearings do you have per month; do you understand the SSA's POMS (the manual Social Security employees use to process claims); and, do you understand the date last insured and how it affects my disability onset date?

The Law Offices of LaVan & Neidenberg, located in Atlanta, Georgia represent over 5000 disability claimants. Our disability attorneys have experience with cross examining medical and vocational experts and take time when speaking with you about your case. Contact us today at 1-888-234-5758 for a FREE legal consultation. There is NO OBLIGATION to hire our firm and there are NO FEES unless one of our trained disability lawyers wins your case.