Description
Generic Name and Formulations Hydrocodone bitartrate 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 50mg; ext-rel caps.
Mechanism of Action
Hydrocodone is a full opioid agonist with relative selectivity for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can interact with other opioid receptors at higher doses. The principal therapeutic action of hydrocodone is analgesia. specific CNS opioid receptors for endogenous compounds with opioid-like activity have been identified throughout the brain and spinal cord and are thought to play a role in the analgesic effects of this drug.
Adult
Always use lowest effective dose for shortest duration. Swallow whole. Individualize.18yrs: Opioid-naive or opioid non-tolerant, initially 10mg every 12hrs. May increase dose in increments of 10mg every 12hrs every 3–7 days as needed. Severe hepatic impairment: initially 10mg every 12hrs, titrate carefully and monitor. Renal impairment, use low initial dose. Use 50mg ER caps, a single dose 40mg or a total daily dose 80mg in opioid-tolerant patients only. Conversion from other opioids: see full labeling. Concomitant use or discontinuation of CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers, monitor closely and consider dose adjustments (see full labeling). Withdraw gradually, if opioid-dependent), taper by ≤10–25% every 2–4 weeks.
