Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: VICODIN HP versus XARTEMIS XR.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: VICODIN HP versus XARTEMIS XR.
VICODIN HP vs XARTEMIS XR
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Hydrocodone is a mu-opioid receptor agonist that inhibits ascending pain pathways; acetaminophen inhibits cyclooxygenase and has antipyretic effects.
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).
One tablet (hydrocodone bitartrate 10 mg/acetaminophen 660 mg) orally every 4-6 hours as needed for pain; maximum 6 tablets per day.
1 tablet (oxycodone 7.5 mg / acetaminophen 325 mg) orally every 12 hours; maximum 2 tablets per day.
None Documented
None Documented
Hydrocodone: 3.8-5.5 hours (mean 4.5 h). Acetaminophen: 2-3 hours. Clinical context: dosing interval every 4-6 hours for acute pain.
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.
Primarily renal: hydrocodone is eliminated as conjugated metabolites (glucuronides) ~80%; unchanged drug ~5%. Biliary/fecal: minor, <10%.
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