Opioid Withdrawal Treatment Lands FDA Clearance

The company's NSS-2 BRIDGE device helps to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms. (photo courtesy Innovative Health Solutions)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given clearance for a medical device developed in Indiana to help treat symptoms of opioid withdrawal. The device, known as the NSS-2 BRIDGE, was created by Innovative Health Solutions Inc. in Versailles. 

The device is placed behind the ear and has micro-needle arrays that percutaneously implant in and around the ear. IHS says research studies have shown a nearly 85 percent reduction of withdrawal symptoms in as little as 60 minutes.

The company says the FDA clearance will allow doctors to prescribe the NSS-2 BRIDGE device to patients suffering from withdrawal symptoms. It also makes the device eligible for insurance coverage once states and commercial carriers adopt the technology.

Brian Carrico, president of IHS, said in a news release the technology helps take away the fear of withdrawal and leads to a higher success rate for people trying to curb their addiction to opioids.

"Our vision is for every person in withdrawal, preparing for withdrawal, or suffering from post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS), to have access to this technology," said Carrico. "Significantly reducing withdrawal symptoms lessens the dependency on opioids, allows for easier transition to Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) and ultimately works as another tool to combat the opioid epidemic facing our country.

Withdrawal symptoms can include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, anxiety and sleeplessness. IHS says, often times, the symptoms can be so painful that people turn back to opioids in a matter of hours.

You can learn more about the technology by clicking here.