Hydrocodone Bitartrate

what is hydrocodone bitartrate?

Hydrocodone Bitartrate is used to treat moderate to severe pain. In liquid formulations, it is used to treat cough. In one study comparing the potency of hydrocodone to that of oxycodone, it was found that it took 50% more hydrocodone to achieve the same degree of miosis (pupillary contraction). The investigators interpreted this to mean that oxycodone is about 50% more potent than hydrocodone.

what is bitartrate in hydrocodone?

Hydrocodone bitartrate occurs as fine, white crystals or crystalline powder and is soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohol. Hydrocodone polistirex consists of medication.

is hydrocodone bitartrate the same as hydrocodone?

Interactions

Medicines that interact with hydrocodone may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with hydrocodone. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed.

Common medications that may interact with hydrocodone include:

• antibiotics, such as erythromycin
• anticholinergics, such as benztropine (may increase the risk of urinary retention or severe constipation)
• antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine), or SSRIs (eg, fluoxetine, sertraline). May increase the risk of serotonin syndrome
• antiemetics, such as dolasetron, granisetron, or ondansetron
• antifungal agents, such as itraconazole and ketoconazole
• anticonvulsants, such as carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, or primidone
• antimigraine agents such as sumatriptan
• antipsychotics (such as butyrophenones, phenothiazines, or thioxanthenes) and atypical antipsychotics (eg, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone)
• aprepitant
• azelastine
• any medication that may cause drowsiness, such as amphetamines, benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam, lorazepam), first-generation antihistamines (such as doxylamine or promethazine), metoclopramide, or opioids (such as codeine, morphine)
• buprenorphine
• buspirone
• cannabidiol
• cannabis
• desmopressin
• dextromethorphan
• diuretics, such as furosemide
• fusidic acid
• gastrointestinal agents, such as metoclopramide
• HIV medications such as ritonavir
• kava kava
• ketoconazole
• magnesium sulfate
• mifepristone
• muscle relaxants, such as cyclobenzaprine
• naltrexone
• other medications that are CYP3A4 or CYP2D6 inhibitors or inducers
• pentazocine
• rifampin
• sedative-hypnotic agents such as zolpidem or eszopiclone.

How it works

• Hydrocodone is an analgesic (pain-reliever) that may be given to treat moderate-to-severe pain that is unresponsive to other, less potent, pain-relieving medicines.
• Hydrocodone works on receptors in the brain and spinal cord to relieve pain. It is a full opioid agonist that is relatively selective for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can act on other receptors at higher dosages. Like all full agonists, there is no ceiling effect for analgesia but the risk of side effects such as respiratory and CNS depression are more likely at higher dosages. Precisely how hydrocodone relieves pain is unknown, but it is thought to release naturally present opioid-like compounds. When used to treat cough hydrocodone is thought to act on the central cough reflex.