Oxycodone/aspirin

Summary

Oxycodone/aspirin (trade name Percodan) is a combination drug marketed by Endo Pharmaceuticals. It is a tablet containing a mixture of 325 mg (5 grains) of aspirin and 4.8355 mg of oxycodone HCl (equivalent to 4.3346 mg of oxycodone as the free base); it is an opioid/non-opioid combination used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain.[1] The safety of the combination during pregnancy has not been established, although aspirin is generally contraindicated during pregnancy, and the drug has been placed in pregnancy category D.[2] Inactive ingredients include D&C Yellow 10, FD&C Yellow 6, microcrystalline cellulose, and corn starch.[2] Percodan was first marketed by DuPont Pharmaceuticals and prescribed in the United States in 1950. Once a widely prescribed painkiller, it has largely been replaced by alternative oxycodone compounds containing paracetamol (acetaminophen) instead of aspirin, such as Percocet.

Oxycodone/aspirin
Combination of
OxycodoneOpioid analgesic
AspirinNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
Clinical data
Trade namesPercodan
AHFS/Drugs.compercodan
License data
  • US FDA: Percodan
Routes of
administration
Oral
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
CAS Number
  • 64336-56-7
KEGG
  • D11176

Adverse effects edit

Pharmacology edit

The oxycodone component in the combination is technically 14-hydroxy-7,8-dihydrocodein-6-one, a white odorless, crystalline powder which is synthesized from the opium alkaloid thebaine. Thebaine by itself has no therapeutic value. Oxycodone is metabolized into oxymorphone. Unlike morphine and like codeine, oxycodone has a good oral potency. Prior to the introduction of paracetamol, Percodan was the mainstay in post-operative oral pain treatment due to the potency and long half-life of oxycodone. It originally contained a small amount of caffeine.

Reformulation edit

Percodan was reformulated in 2005; prior to 2005, it contained two oxycodone salts—4.62 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride and 0.38 mg of oxycodone terephthalate. Since the latter salt is unusual in the pharmacopeia, the manufacturer increased the amount of oxycodone hydrochloride to 4.8355 mg and discontinued the oxycodone terephthalate.

Miscellaneous edit

The combination oxycodone/aspirin is also sold under the brand name Endodan. All products containing oxycodone (including Percodan, Percocet, OxyContin) have the potential to be habit-forming. Oxycodone can produce drug dependence of the morphine type and, therefore, has the potential for being addictive.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Percodan Package Insert" (PDF). Endo Pharmaceuticals. July 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  2. ^ a b "PERCODAN - oxycodone hydrochloride and aspirin tablet". DailyMed. United States National Library of Medicine. April 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2011.

External links edit

  • Percodan Prescribing Information from Endo Pharmaceuticals.
  • Search "Percodan" in FDA Archives; shows approval in 1950.