Vopac (obsolete)
Vopac (obsolete) Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.
The relief of pain (analgesia) is a primary goal for enhancing the quality of life of patients and for increasing the ability of patients to engage in day to day activities. Codeine, an opioid analgesic, was originally approved in the US in 1950 and is a drug used to decrease pain by increasing the threshold for pain without impairing consciousness or altering other sensory functions. Opiates such as codeine are derived from the poppy plant, Papaver somniferum (Papaveraceae).
Codeine is utilized as a central analgesic, sedative, hypnotic, antinociceptive, and antiperistaltic agent, and is also recommended in certain diseases with incessant coughing.
General effects
Paracetamol exhibits analgesic action by peripheral blockage of pain impulse generation. It produces antipyresis by inhibiting the hypothalamic heat-regulating centre. Its weak anti-inflammatory activity is related to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in the CNS.
Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) is thought to act primarily in the CNS, increasing the pain threshold by inhibiting both isoforms of cyclooxygenase, COX-1, COX-2, and COX-3 enzymes involved in prostaglandin (PG) synthesis. Unlike NSAIDs, acetaminophen does not inhibit cyclooxygenase in peripheral tissues and, thus, has no peripheral anti-inflammatory affects. While aspirin acts as an irreversible inhibitor of COX and directly blocks the enzyme's active site, studies have found that acetaminophen indirectly blocks COX, and that this blockade is ineffective in the presence of peroxides. This might explain why acetaminophen is effective in the central nervous system and in endothelial cells but not in platelets and immune cells which have high levels of peroxides. Studies also report data suggesting that acetaminophen selectively blocks a variant of the COX enzyme that is different from the known variants COX-1 and COX-2. This enzyme is now referred to as COX-3. Its exact mechanism of action is still poorly understood, but future research may provide further insight into how it works. The antipyretic properties of acetaminophen are likely due to direct effects on the heat-regulating centres of the hypothalamus resulting in peripheral vasodilation, sweating and hence heat dissipation.
| Trade Name | Vopac (obsolete) |
| Generic | Paracetamol + codeine |
| Weight | 120mg + 12mg/5ml, 300mg + 15mg, 300mg + 30mg, 300mg + 60mg |
| Type | Oral liquid, oral tablet |
| Therapeutic Class | |
| Manufacturer | |
| Available Country | United States |
| Last Updated: | September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am |
Uses
Codeine is an opioid analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain when the use of an opioid is indicated.
Codeine sulfate is a form of this drug that is commonly used. It is available in tablet form and indicated for the relief of mild to moderately severe pain, where the use of an opioid analgesic is appropriate .
The solution form is used by itself or combined in a syrup with other drugs and is used as a cough suppressant in adults aged 18 and above , .
Paracetamol IV is used for the management of mild to moderate pain, the management of moderate to severe pain with adjunctive opioid analgesics, the reduction of fever.
Paracetamol is a non-salicylate antipyretic and non-opioid analgesic agent. Paracetamol IV injection is a sterile, clear, colorless, non pyrogenic, isotonic formulation of Paracetamol intended for intravenous infusion.
Vopac (obsolete) is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Common Cold, Cough, Flu caused by Influenza, Mild pain, Pain, Severe Pain, Dry cough, Moderate Pain, Upper respiratory symptoms, Airway secretion clearance therapyAcute Gouty Arthritis, Acute Musculoskeletal Pain, Allergies, Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), Arthritis, Chills, Cold, Cold Symptoms, Common Cold, Common Cold/Flu, Cough, Cough caused by Common Cold, Coughing caused by Flu caused by Influenza, Dyskinesia of the Biliary Tract, Dyskinesia of the Urinary Tract, Febrile Convulsions, Febrile Illness Acute, Fever, Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Flu caused by Influenza, Headache, Joint dislocations, Menstrual Distress (Dysmenorrhea), Mild pain, Muscle Inflammation, Muscle Injuries, Muscle Spasms, Musculoskeletal Pain, Nasal Congestion, Neuralgia, Osteoarthritis (OA), Pain, Pollen Allergy, Postoperative pain, Premenstrual cramps, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rhinopharyngitis, Rhinorrhoea, Severe Pain, Sinusitis, Soreness, Muscle, Spasms, Spastic Pain of the Gastrointestinal Tract, Sprains, Tension Headache, Toothache, Upper Respiratory Tract Infection, Whiplash Syndrome, Acute Torticollis, Mild to moderate pain, Minor aches and pains, Minor pain, Moderate Pain, Airway secretion clearance therapy, Antispasmodic, Bronchodilation
How Vopac (obsolete) works
Codeine is a selective agonist for the mu opioid receptor, but with a much weaker affinity to this receptor than morphine, a more potent opioid drug. Codeine binds to mu-opioid receptors, which are involved in the transmission of pain throughout the body and central nervous system , . The analgesic properties of codeine are thought to arise from its conversion to Morphine, although the exact mechanism of analgesic action is unknown at this time , .
Dosage
Vopac (obsolete) dosage
Adults and adolescents weighing 50 kg and over: the recommended dosage of Paracetamol IV is 1000 mg every 6 hours or 650 mg every 4 hours, with a maximum single dose of Paracetamol IV of 1000 mg, a minimum dosing interval of 4 hours, and a maximum daily dose of Paracetamol of 4000 mg per day.
Adults and adolescents weighing under 50 kg: the recommended dosage of Paracetamol IV is 15 mg/kg every 6 hours or 12.5 mg/kg every 4 hours, with a maximum single dose of Paracetamol IV of 15 mg/kg, a minimum dosing interval of 4 hours, and a maximum daily dose of Paracetamol of 75 mg/kg per day.
Children >2 to 12 years of age: the recommended dosage of Paracetamol IV is 15 mg/kg every 6 hours or 12.5 mg/kg every 4 hours, with a maximum single dose of Paracetamol IV of 15 mg/kg, a minimum dosing interval of 4 hours, and a maximum daily dose of Paracetamol of 75 mg/kg per day.
Side Effects
As all paracetamol products, adverse drug reactions are rare (>1/10000, <1/1000) or very rare (<1/10000). Frequent adverse reactions at injection site have been reported during clinical trials (pain and burning sensation). Very rare cases of hypersensitivity reactions ranging from simple skin rash or urticaria to anaphylactic shock have been reported and require discontinuation of treatment. Cases of erythema, flushing, pruritus and tachycardia have been reported.
Toxicity
Oral LD50: 427 mg kg-1 (rat) .
Overdose/toxicity
Symptoms of opioid toxicity may include confusion, somnolence, shallow breathing, constricted pupils, nausea, vomiting, constipation and a lack of appetite. In severe cases, symptoms of circulatory and respiratory depression may ensue, which may be life-threatening or fatal , .
Teratogenic effects
This drug is classified as a pregnancy Category C drug. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies completed in pregnant women. Codeine should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk of the drug to the fetus .
Codeine has shown embryolethal and fetotoxic effects in the hamster, rat as well as mouse models at about 2-4 times the maximum recommended human dose . Maternally toxic doses that were about 7 times the maximum recommended human dose of 360 mg/day, were associated with evidence of bone resorption and incomplete bone ossification. Codeine did not demonstrate evidence of embrytoxicity or fetotoxicity in the rabbit model at doses up to 2 times the maximum recommended human dose of 360 mg/day based on a body surface area comparison .
Nonteratogenic effects
Neonatal codeine withdrawal has been observed in infants born to addicted and non-addicted mothers who ingested codeine-containing medications in the days before delivery. Common symptoms of narcotic withdrawal include irritability, excessive crying, tremors, hyperreflexia, seizures, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and poor feeding. These signs may be observed shortly following birth and may require specific treatment .
Codeine (30 mg/kg) given subcutaneously to pregnant rats during gestation and for 25 days after delivery increased the rate of neonatal mortality at birth. The dose given was 0.8 times the maximum recommended human dose of 360 mg/day .
The use in breastfeeding/nursing
Codeine is secreted into human milk. The maternal use of codeine can potentially lead to serious adverse reactions, including death, in nursing infants .
Precaution
Administration of Paracetamol in doses higher than recommended may result in hepatic injury, including the risk of severe hepatotoxicity and death. Do not exceed the maximum recommended daily dose of Paracetamol. Use caution when administering Paracetamol in patients with the following conditions: hepatic impairment or active hepatic disease, alcoholism, chronic malnutrition, severe hypovolemia (e.g., due to dehydration or blood loss), or severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 ml/min). There were infrequent reports of life-threatening anaphylaxis requiring emergent medical attention. Discontinue Paracetamol IV immediately if symptoms associated with allergy or hypersensitivity occurs. Do not use Paracetamol IV in patients with Paracetamol allergy.
Volume of Distribution
Apparent volume of distribution: about 3-6 L/kg, showing an extensive distribution of the drug into tissues .
Volume of distribution is about 0.9L/kg. 10 to 20% of the drug is bound to red blood cells. Acetaminophen appears to be widely distributed throughout most body tissues except in fat.
Elimination Route
Absorption
Codeine is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The maximum plasma concentration occurs 60 minutes after administration .
Food Effects
When 60 mg codeine sulfate was given 30 minutes post-ingestion of a high high-calorie meal, there was no significant change in the absorption of codeine .
Steady-state concentration
The administration of 15 mg codeine sulfate every 4 hours for 5 days lead to steady-state concentrations of codeine, morphine, morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G) and morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) within 48 hours .
Half Life
Plasma half-lives of codeine and its metabolites have been reported to be approximately 3 hours .
The half-life for adults is 2.5 h after an intravenous dose of 15 mg/kg. After an overdose, the half-life can range from 4 to 8 hours depending on the severity of injury to the liver, as it heavily metabolizes acetaminophen.
Clearance
Renal clearance of codeine was 183 +/- 59 ml min-1 in a clinical study .
Renal impairment may decrease codeine clearance .
Adults: 0.27 L/h/kg following a 15 mg/kg intravenous (IV) dose. Children: 0.34 L/h/kg following a 15 mg/kg intravenous (IV dose).
Elimination Route
About 90% of the total dose of codeine is excreted by the kidneys. Approximately 10% of the drug excreted by the kidneys is unchanged codeine .
The majority of the excretion products can be found in the urine within 6 hours of ingestion, and 40-60 % of the codeine is excreted free or conjugated, approximately 5 to 15 percent as free and conjugated morphine, and approximately 10-20% free and conjugated norcodeine .
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use
Pregnancy Category C. There are no studies of intravenous Paracetamol in pregnant women; however, epidemiological data on oral Paracetamol use in pregnant women show no increased risk of major congenital malformations. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with IV Paracetamol and it is not known whether Paracetamol IV can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Paracetamol IV should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with Paracetamol IV during labor and delivery; therefore, it should be used in such settings only after a careful benefit-risk assessment. While studies with Paracetamol IV have not been conducted, Paracetamol is secreted in human milk in small quantities after oral administration.
Contraindication
Paracetamol is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to its active ingredient or to any of the excipients in the intravenous formulation. Also contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment or severe active liver disease
Special Warning
Pediatric Use: The safety and effectiveness of Paracetamol IV for the treatment of acute pain and fever in pediatric patients ages 2 years and older is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of Paracetamol IV in adults.
Geriatric use: No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients.
Patients with Hepatic Impairment: Paracetamol is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment or severe active liver disease and should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment or active liver disease. A reduced total daily dose of Paracetamol may be warranted.
Patients with Renal Impairment: In cases of severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 ml/min), longer dosing intervals and a reduced total daily dose of Paracetamol may be warranted.
Storage Condition
Store in a cool & dry place & away from children. For single use only. The product should be used within 6 hours after opening. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
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