BIG changes with hydrocodone (Vicodin, etc)

December 2013

Please see the April 2014 FDA reminder to discontinue prescribing and dispensing prescription combination drug products that contain more than 325 mg of acetaminophen per dosing unit.

You'll see BIG changes with hydrocodone (Vicodin, etc)...phaseouts, new formulations, and a move to reclassify combos as CII.

These changes are to increase safety and decrease abuse.

Phaseout of combo products with MORE THAN 325 mg of acetaminophen per tab or cap is an effort to decrease liver injury from acetaminophen.

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Table of Contents

Opioids BIG changes with hydrocodone (Vicodin, etc)
Obesity & Weight Loss More obese patients will get bariatric surgery and need help with their meds afterward
Vaccines proper administration of vaccines
Med Adherence more reasons to improve med adherence
Acute Pain more focus on the management of ACUTE low back pain to counter the increasing use of opioids, benzodiazepines, and imaging
Pneumonia more emphasis on prevention and treatment of community-acquired pneumonia
Antidepressants two new antidepressants, Brintellix (brin-TEL-ix, vortioxetine) and Fetzima (fet-ZEE-muh, levomilnacipran)
Antipsychotics More payers are trying to rein in the use of antipsychotics in patients WITHOUT psychotic disorders
HIV & AIDS New simplified guidelines for HIV prophylaxis after a needlestick
Oral Health Patients are asking for help choosing tooth whiteners
Substance Use Disorder "Molly," the party drug
Dyslipidemia more lipid drugs get indications based on HARD clinical outcomes