Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ROXICODONE versus VICODIN ES.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ROXICODONE versus VICODIN ES.
ROXICODONE vs VICODIN ES
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Oxycodone is a full opioid agonist with high affinity for mu-opioid receptors, also binding to kappa and delta receptors. It acts primarily on the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.
Hydrocodone is a mu-opioid receptor agonist; acetaminophen inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) and modulates descending serotonergic pathways.
5-15 mg orally every 4-6 hours as needed for pain; immediate-release formulation. Maximum 60 mg total daily dose for opioid-naive patients.
Oral: 1 tablet (7.5 mg hydrocodone/300 mg acetaminophen) every 4-6 hours as needed for pain; maximum 6 tablets per day due to acetaminophen limit.
None Documented
None Documented
3.5-5 hours for immediate-release; 4.5-5.5 hours for extended-release. Accumulation may occur with repeated dosing, especially in elderly or hepatic impairment.
Hydrocodone: terminal half-life approximately 3.3-4.5 hours in adults, extended in hepatic or renal impairment. Acetaminophen: terminal half-life about 2-3 hours.
Renal excretion: 70-80% as unchanged drug and metabolites (oxymorphone, noroxycodone); fecal: 10-20%.
Hydrocodone: primarily renal (urine) as unchanged drug and metabolites (O-demethylation and 6-keto-reduction products); ~26% excreted unchanged. Acetaminophen: renal (urine), ~85% as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates, ~2% unchanged.
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic