View source for Percodan



'''Percodan''' is a [[potency (pharmacology)|potent]] compound [[painkiller]] used to treat moderately severe to severe [[Acute (medical)|acute]] (short-term) [[pain]].  Percodan contains [[aspirin]] and [[oxycodone]], a potent [[opioid]] [[agonist]].  Percodan was first [[marketed]] by [[DuPont]] Pharmaceuticals and prescribed in the [[United States]] in [[1950]].  At one time one of the most widely prescribed painkillers, Percodan has largely been replaced by alternative oxycodone compounds containing [[acetaminophen]] ([[Tylenol]]) instead of [[aspirin]], such as [[Percocet]].

==Pharmacology==
Each Percodan [[tablet]] contains the following [[active ingredient]]s:
* 4.5 [[milligram|mg]] of [[oxycodone hydrochloride]]
* 0.38 mg of [[oxycodone terephthalate]]
* 325 mg of [[aspirin]].
Each tablet also contains the following inactive ingredients:
* [[FD&C Yellow 10]]
* [[FD&C Yellow 6]]
* [[microcrystalline cellulose]]
* [[starch]].

The [[oxycodone]] component in Percodan 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 theory|value]]. Oxycodone is [[metabolized]] into [[oxymorphone]]. Unlike [[morphine]] and like [[codeine]], oxycodone has a good oral [[potency]]. Prior to the introduction of [[acetaminophen]] ([[paracetamol]]), Percodan was the mainstay in post-operative oral pain treatment due to the potency and long [[half-life]] of oxycodone. Percodan originally contained a small amount of [[caffeine]].

The usual [[dose]] is one tablet every six hours as needed for pain.  The maximum daily dose should not exceed 12 tablets.

==Decline of use==
Percodan has largely been replaced by [[Percocet]] (which is a [[Chemical compound|compound]] of oxycodone and acetaminophen, instead of Percodan's aspirin) and other oxycodone-containing compounds for post-operative pain, since aspirin and other [[anti-inflammatory drugs]] increase [[prothrombin time]] and thus inhibit the blood from clotting, which can result in post-operative complications, such as excessive bleeding.  [[Norco]] and [[Vicodin]], which contain [[hydrocodone]] and acetaminophen, have also gained favor over Percodan for post-operative pain because hydrocodone is nearly as potent as oxycodone, and it is not as highly regulated as Percodan.  In the United States, Percodan is regulated as a [[Schedule II]] [[controlled substance]] under the Uniform [[Controlled Substances Act]] of 1970, along with [[cocaine]], morphine and raw (unprocessed) [[opium]]. [[Schedule II]] prescriptions may not be filled by telephone (except in an emergency), and no [[refill]]s are allowed. By contrast, Vicodin, Norco, and other hydrocodone-containing compounds are in [[Schedule III]].  Percodan is becoming something of a relic in the United States, at least, as the number of prescriptions has fallen precipitously since the 1960s in light of the alternate drugs available containing oxycodone (Percocet, [[Tylox]], [[Oxycodone|OxyContin]], [[Roxicodone]]).

==Miscellaneous==
Percodan 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 abuse|drug]] [[Chemical dependency|dependence]] of the morphine type and, therefore, has the potential for being [[drug abuse|abused]].  It is a favorite of and eagerly sought after by [[opiate addict]]s; many addicts, however, prefer OxyContin because it does not contain any other active ingredients besides oxycodone, unlike Percodan and Percocet, which each contain aspirin and Tylenol, respectively. 

As of 2008, Percodan and Percocet are manufactured by [[Endo Pharmaceuticals]].

==External links==
* [http://www.endo.com/PDF/percodan_pack_insert.pdf Percodan Prescribing Information from Endo Pharmaceuticals.]
* [http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm Search "Percodan" in FDA Archives; shows approval in 1950.]

[[Category:DuPont]]

[[es:Percodan]]

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