title: Extended-release hydrocodone: the devil in disguise or just misunderstood?
abstract: Opioid abuse in the United States increased significantly over the past decade, leading to opioid-related deaths. Approval of Zohydro ER, a product that lacks an abuse-deterrent formulation, has provoked media controversy and aggressive legislative action from multiple stakeholders. Only the American Academy of Pain Management has released a position statement on this medication, and individual opinion varies. Additional single-entity extended-release hydrocodone formulations are in the pipeline, and Zohydro ER's limited clinical utility may make the controversy associated with its approval a moot point. As with other opioids, providers will need to assess individual patient risk versus benefit when prescribing Zohydro ER.
authors.affiliation: St John Fisher College, Wegmans School of Pharmacy, Rochester, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Anne E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Schweighardt
authors.affiliation: St John Fisher College, Wegmans School of Pharmacy, Rochester, NY, USA kjuba@sjfc.edu.
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Juba
mesh_terms: D061891:Controlled Substances; D006801:Humans; D006853:Hydrocodone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D008402:Mass Media; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D061891:Controlled Substances; D009294:Narcotics; D006853:Hydrocodone
keywords: Zohydro ER; abuse-deterrent formulation; hydrocodone