An Open-label Study of Hydromorphone Oral Solution in Subjects Aged 28 Days to 16 Years for Postoperative Pain (Palladone)

• Population Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) Model for Hydromorphone: Clearance (Cl) [ Time Frame: A maximum of 9 oral hydromorphone doses with potentially up to 54 hours duration. ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

  Model was built using sparse blood samples: Sampling times: immediately predose, and between 0.25-0.75, 1-3, and 4-6 hours postdose for the first 2 doses of oral hydromorphone: predose for each dose of oral hydromorphone HCl thereafter; and at the end of study.

  Efficacy was based on Oral treatment only.

  
  

• Mean (SE) of Faces, Legs Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) Pain Scores on Hydromorphone Alone (Oral/Supplemental) Over Time [Ages >=28 Days to <5 Years] [ Time Frame: Immediately prior to first oral dose, up to 54 hours ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  There are 5 categories in this pediatric pain measurement: face, legs, activity, cry, and consolability. Responses in each category are scored between 0 and 2 (0 = normal, relaxed to 2 = upset, agitated), for a maximum total score of 10. The FLACC scale was used for children under the age of 3 years and older children who have limited verbal skills.
  
  
• Mean (SE) of Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R) [Ages >= 5 Years-< 12 Years] Pain Scores on Hydromorphone Alone (Oral/Supplemental)Over Time [ Time Frame: Immediately prior to first oral dose with potentially up to 54 hours duration. ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R) consists of 6 facial expressions. Each face is 25 x 35 mm with 13 mm between faces. Each subject was asked to point to the face that reflected his or her pain. The end points are 0 = no pain and 10 = very much pain. The FPS-R scale was used for children over the age of 5 up to 12 years who have appropriate verbal skills.
  
  
• Mean (SE) of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) [Ages 12-16] Pain Scores on Hydromorphone Alone (Oral/Supplemental) Over Time [ Time Frame: Immediately prior to first oral dose, up to 54 hours ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm Color Analog Scale anchored by the descriptors of 0 = "no pain" and 10 = "most pain," was used by children ≥ 12 years of age.
  
  

Hydromorphone is an opioid analgesic that has been used for decades as an alternative to morphine in the treatment of moderate to severe malignant and nonmalignant pain. Only a small number of analgesics have been studied in children. The benefits to the subjects include contribution of knowledge that will provide for appropriate dosing regimen recommendations for future pediatric subjects.

Treatment consisted of both parenteral and oral hydromorphone. For up to 48 hours immediately following surgery, subjects were administered hydromorphone by IV PCA pump. Dosing with the oral hydromorphone HCl began when the subject was ready to take clear oral liquid. Subjects were administered oral hydromorphone HCl every 6 hours for up to 9 doses. The investigator determined the timing of the first dose based on each subject's clinical condition.

The duration of the treatment phase was up to 102 hours (up to 48 hours for the Parenteral Treatment Period and up to 54 hours for the Oral Treatment Period).

Efficacy was based on the oral hydromorphone treatment. Adverse events were collected for both the oral and parenteral treatments.