Correct Prescription of Hydrocodone

by Christina Gomez

Submitted : Spring 2009

Hydrocodone is a drug used to treat moderate to severe pain. Correct dosage is imperative due to the addictive side effects and the possibility of an overdose. In order to calculate the correct dosage for a patient blood serum levels must first be analyzed over a period of time with a specific dose. This information was collected using adult male participants. Then the central volume of distribution can be obtained using the volumetric dose administered to the participants and the average peak serum level. Then by integrating a first order formula, and plugging in values of serum levels over time, we can determine the decay rate constant of hydrocodone. Finally, after using both the volume of distribution and decay rate constant, we can test different volumes of the drug and determine which dose will work more efficiently at the correct therapeutic serum levels.

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