KemPharm, Inc.
Benzoic acid, benzoic acid derivatives and heteroaryl carboxylic acid conjugates of hydromorphone, prodrugs, methods of making and use thereof

Abstract:

The presently described technology provides compositions comprising aryl carboxylic acids chemically conjugated to hydromorphone (4,5-.alpha.-epoxy-3-hydroxy-17-methyl morphinan-6-one) to form novel prodrugs/compositions of hydromorphone. The hydromorphone prodrugs of the present technology have decreased side effects and decreased potential for abuse compared to unconjugated hydromorphone. The present technology also provides methods of treating patients, pharmaceutical kits and methods of synthesizing conjugates of the present technology.