The Sound of Evolution
Hydrocodone
氫可酮
Mechanism of action:
Hydrocodone 是一種鴉片類藥物（opioid）。Hydrocodone 會與脊髓、腦幹與大腦皮質中的 μ-阿片受體（μ-opioid receptor）結合並活化，該受體為 Gi/o 蛋白偶聯受體。受體活化後會抑制腺苷酸環化酶（adenylyl cyclase），降低 cAMP 生成，抑制突觸前的電壓門控鈣離子通道（voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channel），阻止鈣離子內流，減少麩胺酸（glutamate）、P 物質（substance P） 等疼痛相關神經傳導物質的釋放；同時，活化突觸後的鉀離子通道（K⁺ channel），促進鉀離子外流，導致神經元超極化（hyperpolarization）。
Reference(s):
1. Melhem MR et al. (2013). Population pharmacokinetic analysis for hydrocodone following the administration of hydrocodone bitartrate extended-release capsules. Clin Pharmacokinet.
2. Linares OA et al. (2015). Individualized hydrocodone therapy based on phenotype, pharmacogenetics, and pharmacokinetic dosing. Clin J Pain.
3. Liu W et al. (2015). Pharmacokinetics of hydrocodone/acetaminophen combination product in children ages 6–17 with moderate to moderately severe postoperative pain. J Clin Pharmacol.