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Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen (Hydrocodone Bitartrate / Acetaminophen) - Description and Clinical Pharmacology

 
 



 5 mg/325 mg  5 mg/500 mg      
 7.5 mg/325 mg  7.5 mg/500 mg  7.5 mg/650 mg  7.5 mg/750 mg  
 10 mg/325 mg  10 mg/500 mg  10 mg/650 mg  10 mg/660 mg  10 mg/750 mg

Rx only

DESCRIPTION

Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablets are supplied in tablet form for oral administration.

Hydrocodone bitartrate is an opioid analgesic and antitussive and occurs as fine, white crystals or as a crystalline powder. It is affected by light. The chemical name is: 4,5α-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan-6-one tartrate (1:1) hydrate (2:5). It has the following structural formula:

Acetaminophen, 4'-hydroxyacetanilide, a slightly bitter, white, odorless, crystalline powder, is a non-opiate, non-salicylate analgesic and antipyretic. It has the following structural formula:

Each Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablet USP contains:

  Tablet   Hydrocodone Bitartrate USP   Acetaminophen USP
 5 mg/325 mg  5 mg  325 mg
 5 mg/500 mg  5 mg  500 mg
 7.5 mg/325 mg  7.5 mg  325 mg
 7.5 mg/500 mg  7.5 mg  500 mg
 7.5 mg/650 mg  7.5 mg  650 mg
 7.5 mg/750 mg  7.5 mg  750 mg
 10 mg/325 mg  10 mg  325 mg
 10 mg/500 mg  10 mg  500 mg
 10 mg/650 mg  10 mg  650 mg
 10 mg/660 mg  10 mg  660 mg
 10 mg/750 mg  10 mg  750 mg

In addition each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: crospovidone, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, pregelatinized starch, silicon dioxide, and stearic acid.

The 10 mg/650 mg tablet also contains FD & C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake 12%.

Meets USP Dissolution Test 1.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Hydrocodone is a semisynthetic narcotic analgesic and antitussive with multiple actions qualitatively similar to those of codeine. Most of these involve the central nervous system and smooth muscle. The precise mechanism of action of hydrocodone and other opiates is not known, although it is believed to relate to the existence of opiate receptors in the central nervous system. In addition to analgesia, narcotics may produce drowsiness, changes in mood and mental clouding.

The analgesic action of acetaminophen involves peripheral influences, but the specific mechanism is as yet undetermined. Antipyretic activity is mediated through hypothalamic heat regulating centers. Acetaminophen inhibits prostaglandin synthetase. Therapeutic doses of acetaminophen have negligible effects on the cardiovascular or respiratory systems; however, toxic doses may cause circulatory failure and rapid, shallow breathing.

Pharmacokinetics – The behavior of the individual components is described below.

Hydrocodone – Following a 10 mg oral dose of hydrocodone administered to five adult male subjects, the mean peak concentration was 23.6 ± 5.2 ng/mL. Maximum serum levels were achieved at 1.3 ± 0.3 hours and the half-life was determined to be 3.8 ± 0.3 hours. Hydrocodone exhibits a complex pattern of metabolism including O-demethylation, N-demethylation and 6-keto reduction to the corresponding 6-α- and 6-β-hydroxy-metabolites (see OVERDOSAGE for toxicity information).

Acetaminophen – Acetaminophen is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is distributed throughout most body tissues. The plasma half-life is 1.25 to 3 hours, but may be increased by liver damage and following overdosage. Elimination of acetaminophen is principally by liver metabolism (conjugation) and subsequent renal excretion of metabolites. Approximately 85% of an oral dose appears in the urine within 24 hours of administration, most as the glucuronide conjugate, with small amounts of other conjugates and unchanged drug (see OVERDOSAGE for toxicity information).

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