Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: VICODIN ES versus XARTEMIS XR.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: VICODIN ES versus XARTEMIS XR.
VICODIN ES vs XARTEMIS XR
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Hydrocodone is a mu-opioid receptor agonist; acetaminophen inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) and modulates descending serotonergic pathways.
XARTEMIS XR is a combination of oxycodone (a full mu-opioid receptor agonist) and acetaminophen (a centrally acting analgesic with antipyretic properties via cyclooxygenase inhibition).
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.
1 tablet (oxycodone 7.5 mg / acetaminophen 325 mg) orally every 12 hours; maximum 2 tablets per day.
None Documented
None Documented
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.
Oxycodone: 5.3-6.6 hours (immediate-release), extended-release formulation shows prolonged absorption with apparent half-life ~7.2-9.6 hours; naloxone: 2-3 hours.
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.
Renal: oxycodone and metabolites ~8.8% free oxycodone, ~8.8% noroxycodone, ~33% conjugated metabolites; naloxone: extensive hepatic metabolism, <1% excreted unchanged in urine. Fecal: naloxone metabolites ~17%.
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic