LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Hydrocodone
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A) Hydrocodone abuse has been escalating over the last decade. There has been large scale diversion of Hydrocodone. For example, an estimated 7 million dosage units were diverted in 1994 and over 11 million in 1997. In 1998 there were over 56 million new prescriptions written for Hydrocodone products and by 2000 there were over 89 million. From 1990 the average consumption nationwide has increased by 300%. In the same period there has been a 500% increase in the number of Emergency Department visits attributed to Hydrocodone abuse with 19,221 visits estimated in 2000.
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Hydrocodone diversion and abuse has been escalating in recent years. In 2006, hydrocodone was the most frequently encountered opioid pharmaceutical (25,136 items) in drug evidence submitted to state and local forensic laboratories as reported by the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS). According to the System to Retrieve Investigational Drug Evidence (STRIDE), DEA forensic laboratories analyzed 654 hydrocodone exhibits in 2006. Poison control data, medical examiners’ reports, and treatment center data all indicate that the abuse of hydrocodone is associated with significant public health risks, including a substantial number of deaths. The DEA is currently reviewing a petition to increase the regulatory controls on hydrocodone combination products from schedule III to schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
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Like all narcotics, Hydrocodone can cause constipation, slow down the respiration and occasionall cause dificulty in urination. Hydrocodone should not be taken by anyone who has shown a previous allergic reaction to the products. Individuals who are sensitive to other opioids, may show a cross sensitivity to Hydrocodone. Hydrocodone can depress breathing, and is used with caution in elderly, debilitated patients and in patients with serious lung disease. Hydrocodone can impair thinking and the physical abilities required for driving or operating machinery. Alcohol and other sedatives, such as Xanax, can produce further brain impairment and even confusion when combined with Hydrocodone.
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Hydrocodone is available in tablet as well as in capsule and liquid forms (Tussionex). The Schedule II drug is pure hydrocodone. Consequently, this narcotic is tightly controlled and hydrocodone on this level is not easy to obtain. However, when combined with other non-narcotic medications under Schedule III classification, laxer regulation makes them easier to obtain and hence results in more hydrocodone abuse through Lortab and Vicodin.
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Hydrocodone is not clandestinely produced and diverted pharmaceuticals are the primary source of the drug for abuse purposes. In 2005, over 1,096 capsules, 7,365 grams and 21,794 ml were submitted to STRIDE. Hydrocodone diversion and abuse has been escalating in recent years. In 2005, Hydrocodone was the most frequently encountered opioid pharmaceutical in drug evidence submitted to the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) with 19,893 exhibits. Congress placed Hydrocodone (bulk or single entity products) in Schedule II of the CSA and combination products in both Schedule III and V (depending on Hydrocodone concentration) when the CSA was enacted in 1970.
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Hydrocodone is abused for its opiate-like effects. It is equivalent to morphine in relieving abstinence symptoms from chronic morphine administration. The Schedule III status of Hydrocodone-containing products has made them available to widespread diversion by "bogus call-in prescriptions" and thefts. Three dosage forms are typically found (5, 7.5, and 10 mg) and their behavioral effects can last up to 5 hours. The drug is most often administered orally. The growing awareness and concern about AIDS and blood-borne pathogens easily transmitted by syringe needle use, has made the oral bioavailability of Hydrocodone attractive to the typical opiate abuser.
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Hydrocodone