Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Hydrocodone Bitartrate Extended-Release Tablets (CEP-33237) for Relief of Moderate to Severe Pain in Patients With Osteoarthritis or Low Back Pain Who Require Opioid Treatment for an Extended Period of Time

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate efficacy of hydrocodone extended-release (ER) tablets compared with placebo in alleviating moderate to severe pain in patients with osteoarthritis or low back pain as assessed by the weekly Average Pain Intensity (API) at week 12.

The study consisted of a screening period of approximately 7 to 14 days, an open label titration period of up to 6 weeks, and a double blind treatment period of 12 weeks.

Participants entered the open label titration period and received hydrocodone ER tablets beginning with 15 mg every 12 hours for 3 to 7 days. The objective of the open label titration period was to find the successful dose of hydrocodone ER tablets that produced stable pain relief (defined as an Average Pain Intensity (API) score of 4 or less on the 11-point numerical rating scale for either 3 consecutive days or 3 out of 5 consecutive days while the patient was maintained on the same dose of study drug for up to 7 days). Patients returned to the study center prior to each dose adjustment.

Participants who met the criterion of a stabilized dose were randomly assigned into the 12 week, double blind, placebo controlled treatment period on the final day of the open label titration period (baseline visit). Patients began treatment with double blind study drug at the effective dose of hydrocodone ER tablets achieved during the titration period or matching placebo. Rescue medication was permitted in addition to the study drug during the double blind treatment period.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* The patient is able to speak English and is willing to provide written informed consent, including a written opioid agreement, to participate in this study.
* The patient must be willing and able to successfully self-administer the study drug, comply with study restrictions, complete the electronic diary, and return to the clinic for scheduled study visits as specified in this protocol.
* Women of childbearing potential (not surgically sterile or 2 years postmenopausal), must use a medically accepted method of contraception and must agree to continue use of this method for the duration of the study and for 30 days after participation in the study, and have a negative pregnancy test at screening.
* The patient has pain of at least 3 months' duration associated with osteoarthritis or low back pain.
* The patient reports an average pain intensity score, over the prior 24 hours, of 5 or more on the 11-point numerical rating scale.
* If the patient is receiving physical therapy, biofeedback therapy, acupuncture therapy, or herbal remedies, these therapies must remain unchanged during the study.
* The patient must not participate in other study involving an investigational agent while enrolled into the present study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* The patient has known or suspected hypersensitivities, allergies, or other contraindications to any ingredient in the study drug.
* The patient has a recent history (within 5 years) or current evidence of alcohol or other substance abuse with the exception of nicotine or caffeine.
* The patient has medical or psychiatric disease that, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise collected data.
* The patient is taking a total (ie, around-the-clock plus rescue medication) of more than 135 mg/day of oxycodone, or equivalent, during the 14 days prior to screening.
* The patient has a history of suicidality.
* The patient is expected to have surgery during the study.
* The patient's primary painful condition under study is related to any source of chronic pain other than osteoarthritis or low back pain.
* The patient is pregnant or lactating.
* The patient has active malignancy.
* The patient has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
* In the judgment of the investigator, the patient has any clinically significant deviation from normal in the physical examination and/or clinical laboratory test values.
* The patient has cardiopulmonary disease that would, in the opinion of the investigator, significantly increase the risk of treatment with opioids.
* The patient has participated in a study involving an investigational drug in the previous 30 days.
* The patient has received a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within 14 days before the first treatment with study drug.
* The patient has any other medical condition or is receiving concomitant medication/therapy (e.g., regional nerve block) that would, in the opinion of the investigator, compromise the patient's safety or compliance with the study protocol, or compromise collected data.
* The patient is involved in active litigation in regard to the pain currently being treated.
* The patient has a positive urine drug screen (UDS) that is not medically explainable.
* The investigator feels that the patient is not suitable for the study for any reason.