Hydrocodone (chemical
synonym: dihydrocodeinone; trade names: Vicodin, Anexsia,
Dicodid, Hycodan, Hycomine, Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Tussionex)
is an opioid derived from either of the naturally occurring
opiates -- codeine or thebaine. Hydrocodone is an orally
active narcotic analgesic and antitussive which is marketed in
multi-ingredient Schedule III products. The typical
therapeutic dose of 5 mg to 10 mg is pharmacologically
equivalent to 30 to 60 mg of oral codeine. Sales and
production of this drug have increased significantly in recent
years, as have diversion and illicit use. Hydrocodone is
commonly available in tablet, capsule, and syrup form.
In the US it is a Schedule II drug in its pure form and
Schedule III in multi-ingredient forms where it is combined
with non-narcotics such as Paracetamol, Aspirin and
Homatropine Methylbromide. In the UK it is listed as a Class A
drug under the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act.
The drug gained some additional name recognition due to its
frequent usage by the lead character in the 2005 US hit
television series drama House M.D.. The frequency with which
the character took the pills was the subject of an entire
episode, during which the topic of whether he was addicted to
the medication was the primary plot element.
|