Oxycodone/aspirin

Oxycodone/aspirin (trade name Percodan) is a combination drug marketed by Endo Pharmaceuticals. It is a tablet containing a mixture of 325 mg (5 grains) of aspirin and 4.8355 mg of oxycodone HCl (equivalent to 4.3346 mg of oxycodone as the free base); it is an opioid/non-opioid combination used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain.[1] The safety of the combination during pregnancy has not been established, although aspirin is generally contraindicated during pregnancy, and the drug has been placed in pregnancy category D.[2] Inactive ingredients include D&C Yellow 10, FD&C Yellow 6, microcrystalline cellulose, and corn starch.[2] Percodan was first marketed by DuPont Pharmaceuticals and prescribed in the United States in 1950. Once a widely prescribed painkiller, it has largely been replaced by alternative oxycodone compounds containing paracetamol (acetaminophen) instead of aspirin, such as Percocet.

Oxycodone/aspirin
Combination of
OxycodoneOpioid analgesic
AspirinNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
Clinical data
Trade namesPercodan
AHFS/Drugs.compercodan
License data
Pregnancy
category
  • US: D (Evidence of risk)
    Routes of
    administration    		Oral
    ATC code
    Legal status
    Legal status
    • US: Schedule II
    Identifiers
    KEGG

    Pharmacology

    The oxycodone component in the combination is technically 14-hydroxy-7,8-dihydrocodein-6-one, a white odorless, crystalline powder which is synthesized from the opium alkaloid thebaine. Thebaine by itself has no therapeutic value. Oxycodone is metabolized into oxymorphone. Unlike morphine and like codeine, oxycodone has a good oral potency. Prior to the introduction of paracetamol, Percodan was the mainstay in post-operative oral pain treatment due to the potency and long half-life of oxycodone. It originally contained a small amount of caffeine.

    The usual dose is one tablet every six hours as needed for pain. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 12 tablets.

    Reformulation

    Percodan was reformulated in 2005; prior to 2005, it contained two oxycodone salts—4.62 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride and 0.38 mg of oxycodone terephthalate. Since the latter salt is unusual in the pharmacopeia, the manufacturer increased the amount of oxycodone hydrochloride to 4.8355 mg and discontinued the oxycodone terephthalate.

    Decline of use

    Percodan has largely been replaced by Percocet (which is oxycodone combined with paracetamol (acetaminophen) instead of Percodan's aspirin) and other oxycodone-containing compounds for post-operative pain. Aspirin increases prothrombin time and can result in post-operative complications, such as excessive bleeding. Hydrocodone with paracetamol has also gained favor. Hydrocodone, almost as potent as oxycodone, in combined form previously allowed refills.

    In the United States, Percodan is regulated as a Schedule II controlled substance under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act of 1970. As of October 6, 2014, Percodan is becoming something of a relic in the United States, at least, as the number of prescriptions has fallen precipitously since the 1960s in light of the alternate drugs available containing oxycodone (Percocet, Tylox, OxyContin, Roxicodone).

    Miscellaneous

    The combination oxycodone/aspirin is also sold under the brand name Endodan. All products containing oxycodone (including Percodan, Percocet, OxyContin) have the potential to be habit-forming. Oxycodone can produce drug dependence of the morphine type and, therefore, has the potential for being addictive.

    See also

    References
    1. "Percodan Package Insert" (PDF). Endo Pharmaceuticals. July 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
    2. "PERCODAN - oxycodone hydrochloride and aspirin tablet". DailyMed. United States National Library of Medicine. April 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.