Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone
Clinical data


Trade names	Vicodin, Norco, Lortab, Zohydro ER
AHFS/Drugs.com	Micromedex Detailed Consumer Information
MedlinePlus	a601006
Pregnancy category	US: C (Risk not ruled out)
Dependence liability	Severe / high
Routes of administration	Clinical: oral Others: intranasal, rectal
ATC code	R05DA03 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	AU: S8 (Controlled) CA: Schedule I DE: Anlage III (Prescription only) UK: Class A US: Schedule II
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	Oral: 25%
Protein binding	Low
Metabolism	Hepatic: CYP3A4 (major; to norhydrocodone), CYP2D6 (minor; to hydromorphone)
Onset of action	10–20 minutes
Biological half-life	Average: 3.8 hours Range: 3.3–4.4 hours
Duration of action	4–8 hours
Excretion	Renal
Identifiers
IUPAC name 4,5α-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan-6-one
Synonyms	Dihydrocodeinone
CAS Number	125-29-1^Y
PubChem CID	5284569
IUPHAR/BPS	7081
DrugBank	DB00956^Y
ChemSpider	4447623^Y
UNII	6YKS4Y3WQ7
KEGG	D08045^Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:5779^Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL1457^Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.004.304
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C₁₈H₂₁NO₃
Molar mass	299.368 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
SMILES O=C4[C@@H]5Oc1c2c(ccc1OC)C[C@H]3N(CC[C@]25[C@H]3CC4)C
InChI InChI=1S/C18H21NO3/c1-19-8-7-18-11-4-5-13(20)17(18)22-16-14(21-2)6-3-10(15(16)18)9-12(11)19/h3,6,11-12,17H,4-5,7-9H2,1-2H3/t11-,12+,17-,18-/m0/s1^Y Key:LLPOLZWFYMWNKH-CMKMFDCUSA-N^Y

Zohydro ER
What is this drug for?
treatment of severe, chronic pain that requires around-the-clock opioid treatment
Who might consider taking it?
Adults who need opioid treatment but who find alternative treatments to be inadequate
Who should not take it?
People with severe asthma, advanced chronic lung problems, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease people with a bowel obstruction or ileus very frail people people with brain pressure people with a history of substance abuse should be cautious
What other choices are there?
Non-drug options include exercise, weight loss if necessary, physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or alternative medicine drug options include other pain medication

Hydrocodone, also known as dihydrocodeinone, is a semi-synthetic opioid synthesized from codeine, one of the opioid alkaloids found in the opium poppy. It is a narcotic analgesic used orally for relief of moderate to severe pain, but also commonly taken in liquid form as an antitussive/cough suppressant.

Hydrocodone is prescribed predominantly within the United States, with the International Narcotics Control Board reporting that 99% of the worldwide supply in 2007 was consumed in the United States. Several common imprints for hydrocodone are V4212, M365, M366, M367.

Hydrocodone is used to treat moderate to severe pain and as an antitussive to treat cough. In one study comparing the potency of hydrocodone to that of oxycodone, it was found that it took 50% more hydrocodone to achieve the same degree of miosis (pupillary contraction). The investigators interpreted this to mean that oxycodone is about 50% more potent than hydrocodone.

However, in a study of emergency room patients with fractures, it was found that an equal amount of either drug provided about the same degree of pain relief, indicating that there is little practical difference between them when used for that purpose. Some references state that the analgesic action of hydrocodone begins in 20–30 minutes and lasts about 4–8 hours. The manufacturer's information says onset of action is about 10–30 minutes and duration is about 4–6 hours. Recommended dosing interval is 4–6 hours.

Hydrocodone is available in a variety of formulations for oral administration:

Hydrocodone is not available in parenteral or any other non-oral forms.

Common side effects of hydrocodone are nausea, vomiting, constipation, drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, anxiety, abnormally happy or sad mood, dry throat, difficulty urinating, rash, itching, and narrowing of the pupils. Serious side effects include slowed or irregular breathing and chest tightness.

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Wikipedia