Intravenous oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine in recreational opioid users: abuse potential and relative potencies.
BACKGROUND
Nonmedical use and abuse of prescription opioids is an increasing public health problem. Intravenous (IV) administration of opioid analgesics intended for oral use is not uncommon; yet, little is known about the relative abuse potential of these drugs when administered intravenously to recreational opioid abusers without physical dependence.


METHODS
This inpatient study employed a double-blind, randomized, within-subject, placebo-controlled design to examine the relative abuse potential of IV doses of oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine. Nine healthy adult participants reporting recreational opioid use and histories of IV opioid use completed 11 experimental sessions, including one active-dose practice session. IV doses were infused over 5 min and included three identical doses of each opioid (5, 10, and 20 mg/10 ml) and saline placebo. Physiological, subjective, and performance effects were collected before and for 6 h after drug administration.


RESULTS
All three opioids produced prototypical mu agonist effects (e.g., miosis; increased ratings of liking) that were generally dose-related. Pharmacodynamic effects were observed within 5 min of IV administration. Physiological effects were more prolonged than subjective effects for all three drugs. While the magnitude of effects was generally comparable across drugs and qualitatively similar, valid potency assays indicated the following potency relationship: oxycodone > morphine > hydrocodone.


CONCLUSIONS
There were modest potency differences between oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine, but their overall profile of effects was similar, indicating significant abuse potential when administered intravenously.
Stoops
William W
WW
Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 140 Medical Behavioral Science Building, Lexington, KY 40536-0086, USA. william.stoops@uky.edu
Hatton
Kevin W
KW
Lofwall
Michelle R
MR
Nuzzo
Paul A
PA
Walsh
Sharon L
SL
D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006853:Hydrocodone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010098:Oxycodone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu / Q000819:agonists
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu; D006853:Hydrocodone; D009020:Morphine; D010098:Oxycodone