For interested fans of hydrocodone (Vicodin®, Lortab®, Norco®, etc.), a private pharmaceutical company called Zogenix, Inc. is in Phase III trials of a controlled-release version of hydrocodone. In comparison, controlled-release oxycodone (OxyContin®) has been on the market since 1996. A similar formulation with hydrocodone instead of oxycodone could do wonders for patients that can’t tolerant oxycodone or other opioid drugs. Hydrocodone is sometimes known for producing less constipation than other opioids; however, it’s also known for producing more euphoria than some other opioids which could lead to the same abuse patterns we saw with OxyContin®.

When OxyContin® was released, abusers quickly found that crushing the tablet easily defeated the time-release mechanism, causing all of the oxycodone–meant for slow release over 8-12 hours–to be released into the body at once. This caused a surge in abuse of the drug in the late ’90s and well into later decades as well. Zogenix has announced that the release mechanism for its new hydrocodone formulation is the same currently used by Avinza®, a brand-name of controlled-release morphine. Other drugs using the same release mechanism include Ritalin® LA, Focalin® XR and Luvox® CR. The release mechanism is called Spheroidal Oral Drug Absorption System, or SODAS® and is licensed from Elan Drug Technologies. The SODAS® capsules contain tiny extended-release beads that release too much medication if crushed, chewed, snorted, dissolved, or injected, which will likely lead to a sharp increase in abuse of the drug much in the same manner as OxyContin®. However, for those in pain taking their medication as prescribed, it will be a welcomed addition to the pain pharmacopeia.

Under the US Controlled Substances Act, products containing “no more than 15mg of hydrocodone compounded with an NSAID or APAP” are allowed to be treated as Schedule III drugs, but hydrocodone on its own or in amounts more than 15mg are Schedule II, along with morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, and most other opioids. Due to an additional law, there are currently no hydrocodone-only drugs on the US market today. This drug would change that.

While only in Phase III trials, the drug remains 3-5 years away.