Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide (Page 6 of 10)

8.7 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

Infertility

Chronic use of opioids, such as hydrocodone, a component of Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide Oral Solution, 5 mg/1.5 mg per 5 mL, may cause reduced fertility in females and males of reproductive potential. It is not known whether these effects on fertility are reversible [see Adverse Reactions (6), Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ].

8.4 Pediatric Use

Hydrocodone and Homatropine Oral Solution is contraindicated in pediatric patients younger than 6 years of age because of life-threatening respiratory depression and death have occurred in pediatric patients who received hydrocodone [see Contraindications (4),Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

The safety and effectiveness of Hydrocodone and Homatropine Oral Solution have not been established in patients younger than 18 years of age. Hydrocodone and Homatropine Oral Solution is not recommended for use in patients younger than 18 years of age because the benefits of symptomatic treatment of cough associated with allergies or the common cold do not outweigh the risks for use of hydrocodone in these patients [see Indications (1),Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]

8.5 Geriatric Use

Clinical studies have not been conducted with Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide Oral Solution, 5 mg/1.5 mg per 5 mL in geriatric populations.

Use caution when considering the use of Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide Oral Solution, 5 mg/1.5 mg per 5 mL in patients 65 years of age or older. Elderly patients may have increased sensitivity to hydrocodone; greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function; or concomitant disease or other drug therapy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ].

Respiratory depression is the chief risk for elderly patients treated with opioids, including Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide Oral Solution, 5 mg/1.5 mg per 5 mL. Respiratory depression has occurred after large initial doses of opioids were administered to patients who were not opioid-tolerant or when opioids were co-administered with other agents that depress respiration [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4, 5.8) ].

Hydrocodone is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of adverse reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, monitor these patients closely for respiratory depression, sedation, and hypotension.

8.8 Renal Impairment

The pharmacokinetics of Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide Oral Solution, 5 mg/1.5 mg per 5 mL has not been characterized in patients with renal impairment. Patients with renal impairment may have higher plasma concentrations than those with normal function [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide Oral Solution, 5 mg/1.5 mg per 5 mL should be used with caution in patients with severe impairment of renal function, and patients should be monitored closely for respiratory depression, sedation, and hypotension.

8.9 Hepatic Impairment

The pharmacokinetics of Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide Oral Solution, 5 mg/1.5 mg per 5 mL has not been characterized in patients with hepatic impairment. Patients with severe hepatic impairment may have higher plasma concentrations than those with normal hepatic function [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Therefore, Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide Oral Solution, 5 mg/1.5 mg per 5 mL should be used with caution in patients with severe impairment of hepatic function, and patients should be monitored closely for respiratory depression, sedation, and hypotension.

9 DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE

9.1 Controlled Substance

Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide Oral Solution, 5 mg/1.5 mg per 5 mL contains hydrocodone, a Schedule II controlled substance.

9.2 Abuse

Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide Oral Solution, 5 mg/1.5 mg per 5 mL contains hydrocodone, a substance with a high potential for abuse similar to other opioids including morphine and codeine. Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide Oral Solution, 5 mg/1.5 mg per 5 mL can be abused and is subject to misuse, addiction, and criminal diversion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].

All patients treated with opioids require careful monitoring for signs of abuse and addiction, since use of opioid analgesic and antitussive products carries the risk of addiction even under appropriate medical use.

Prescription drug abuse is the intentional non-therapeutic use of a prescription drug, even once, for its rewarding psychological or physiological effects.

Drug addiction is a cluster of behavioral, cognitive, and physiological phenomena that develop after repeated substance use and includes: a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties in controlling its use, persisting in its use despite harmful consequences, a higher priority given to drug use than to other activities and obligations, increased tolerance, and sometimes a physical withdrawal.

“Drug-seeking” behavior is very common in persons with substance use disorders. Drug-seeking tactics include emergency calls or visits near the end of office hours, refusal to undergo appropriate examination, testing, or referral, repeated “loss” of prescriptions, tampering with prescriptions, and reluctance to provide prior medical records or contact information for other treating health care provider(s). “Doctor shopping” (visiting multiple prescribers to obtain additional prescriptions) is common among drug abusers and people suffering from untreated addiction. Preoccupation with achieving adequate pain relief can be appropriate behavior in a patient with poor pain control.

Abuse and addiction are separate and distinct from physical dependence and tolerance. Health care providers should be aware that addiction may not be accompanied by concurrent tolerance and symptoms of physical dependence in all addicts. In addition, abuse of opioids can occur in the absence of true addiction.

Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide Oral Solution, 5 mg/1.5 mg per 5 mL, like other opioids, can be diverted for non-medical use into illicit channels of distribution. Careful record-keeping of prescribing information, including quantity, frequency, and renewal requests, as required by state and federal law, is strongly advised.

Proper assessment of the patient, proper prescribing practices, periodic re-evaluation of therapy, and proper dispensing and storage are appropriate measures that help to limit abuse of opioid drugs.

Risks Specific to Abuse of Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide Oral Solution, 5 mg/1.5 mg per 5 mL

Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide Oral Solution, 5 mg/1.5 mg per 5 mL is for oral use only. Abuse of Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide Oral Solution, 5 mg/1.5 mg per 5 mL poses a risk of overdose and death. The risk is increased with concurrent use of Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide Oral Solution, 5 mg/1.5 mg per 5 mL with alcohol and other central nervous system depressants [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8), Drug Interactions (7.1, 7.4) ].

Parenteral drug abuse is commonly associated with transmission of infectious diseases such as hepatitis and HIV.

9.3 Dependence

Psychological dependence, physical dependence, and tolerance may develop upon repeated administration of opioids; therefore, Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide Oral Solution, 5 mg/1.5 mg per 5 mL should be prescribed and administered for the shortest duration that is consistent with individual patient treatment goals and patients should be reevaluated prior to refills [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].

Physical dependence, the condition in which continued administration of the drug is required to prevent the appearance of a withdrawal syndrome, assumes clinically significant proportions only after several weeks of continued oral opioid use, although some mild degree of physical dependence may develop after a few days of opioid therapy.

If Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide Oral Solution, 5 mg/1.5 mg per 5 mL is abruptly discontinued in a physically-dependent patient, a withdrawal syndrome may occur. Withdrawal also may be precipitated through the administration of drugs with opioid antagonist activity (e.g., naloxone, nalmefene), mixed agonist/antagonist analgesics (e.g., pentazocine, butorphanol, nalbuphine), or partial agonists (e.g., buprenorphine). Some or all of the following can characterize this syndrome: restlessness, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, yawning, perspiration, chills, myalgia, and mydriasis. Other signs and symptoms also may develop, including irritability, anxiety, backache, joint pain, weakness, abdominal cramps, insomnia, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, or increased blood pressure, respiratory rate, or heart rate.

Infants born to mothers physically dependent on opioids will also be physically dependent and may exhibit respiratory difficulties and withdrawal signs [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ].

All MedLibrary.org resources are included in as near-original form as possible, meaning that the information from the original provider has been rendered here with only typographical or stylistic modifications and not with any substantive alterations of content, meaning or intent.

This site is provided for educational and informational purposes only, in accordance with our Terms of Use, and is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a medical doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner or other qualified health professional.

Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2024. All Rights Reserved.