FDA Approves Embattled Opioid 10 Times Stronger Than Fentanyl

The FDA approved AcelRx’s Dsuvia, a controversial opioid 10 times more powerful than fentanyl.

The drug is a pill form of a previously intravenous product. While an FDA advisory committee recommended approval of the drug, U.S. senators and the committee’s chair spoke out against the recommendation.

Critics argue that the drug has no unique medical benefits and that the pills are small enough to make diversion particularly easy.