Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: STADOL versus VICODIN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: STADOL versus VICODIN.
STADOL vs VICODIN
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors and agonist at kappa-opioid receptors in the CNS, altering pain perception and emotional response to pain.
VICODIN (hydrocodone/acetaminophen) is a combination opioid agonist and analgesic. Hydrocodone acts on mu-opioid receptors in the CNS to alter pain perception and response; acetaminophen inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, likely in the CNS, reducing prostaglandin synthesis and providing antipyretic effects.
Butorphanol tartrate 1-2 mg IV or IM every 3-4 hours as needed for pain; alternatively, 0.5-1 mg IV every 3-4 hours. For nasal spray: 1 mg (one spray) in one nostril, may repeat in 60-90 minutes if needed; then 1 mg every 3-4 hours as needed.
1-2 tablets (hydrocodone 5-10 mg and acetaminophen 300-325 mg) orally every 4-6 hours as needed for pain; maximum daily acetaminophen dose 4 g.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life: 2.5-4 hours; clinically, prolonged in hepatic impairment (up to 10-12 hours) and elderly
Hydrocodone: 3.8-6.4 hours (terminal); Acetaminophen: 2-3 hours (terminal). Clinically, steady-state achieved in 1-2 days.
Renal: 85-90% as unchanged drug and metabolites (primarily as glucuronide conjugates); Fecal: <10%; Biliary: minimal
Hydrocodone: primarily renal (~60% as metabolites, 12% unchanged); minor biliary. Acetaminophen: renal (90-100% as metabolites, 2-4% unchanged).
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic