U17 pill – Drug class, use, ingredients, dosage and side effects

What is U17 pill?

A pill with imprint U17 is identified as acetaminophen and oxycodone hydrochloride in a strength of 325 mg / 10 mg respectively. It is of white color and capsule shaped. The main supplier of this medicine is Aurolife Pharma LLC.

This combination medication is used for the treatment of chronic pain and comes under the narcotic analgesic combinations. The risk of this drug cannot be ruled out during pregnancy.

• Imprint: U17
• Strength: 325mg/10mg
• Color: White
• Size: 12 mm
• Shape: Capsule-shaped
• Availability: Prescription only
• Drug Class: Narcotic analgesic combinaitons
• Pregnancy Category: C- risk cannot be ruled out
• CSA Schedule: 2 – High potential for abuse
• Labeler / Supplier: Aurolife Pharma LLC.
• Inactive Ingredients: Pregelatinized starch, Stearic acid, Povidone, Crospovidone, and Lactose

Active ingredients of U17 pills and their identification

U17 pill contains oxycodone and acetaminophen in strength:

Oxycodone Hydrochloride USP 5 mg
Acetaminophen USP 325 mg

Oxycodone occurs as a white, odorless, crystalline powder having a saline, bitter taste and is a known semi-synthetic opioid analgesic.

Acetaminophen is a slightly bitter, white, odorless, crystalline powder, categorized as a non-opiate, non-salicylate analgesic and antipyretic.

U17 pill chemistry

Oxycodone:

Molecular formula: C₁₈H₂₁NO₄

Molecular weight: 315.369 g/mol

IUPAC Name: (4R,4aS,7aR,12bS)-4a-hydroxy-9-methoxy-3-methyl-2,4,5,6,7a,13-hexahydro-1H-4,12-methanobenzofuro[3,2-e]isoquinoline-7-one

Molecular structure:

Drug class: This compound belongs to the class of organic compounds known as phenanthrenes and derivatives.

These are polycyclic compounds containing a phenanthrene moiety, which is a tricyclic aromatic compound with three non-linearly fused benzene.

Acetaminophen:

Molecular formula: C₈H₉NO₂

Molecular weight: 151.165 g/mol

IUPAC Name: N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide

Drug class: These compounds belong to class of organic compounds known as 1-hydroxy-2-unsubstituted benzoids.

U17 pill uses

U17 pill contains oxycodone and acetaminophen as combination which is indicated for the relief of moderate to moderately severe pain.

U17 pill legal status

Acetaminophen/Oxycodone 325 mg/5 mg is categorized as a Schedule 2 controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA).

This drug possesses a high potential for drug abuse. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the US or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions.

Abuse of the drug may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

What are different brand names for acetaminophen/oxycodone combinations?

U17 come under various brand names such as Depalgos, Endocet, Percocet, Ratio-oxycocet, Roxicet and Tylox.

U17 pill price and prescription

Generic oxycodone/acetaminophen is covered by almost all Medicare and insurance plans. However, you may also find some lower pharmacy coupons or cash prices.

The most common version of oxycodone /acetaminophen is of around $22.31, which is 79% off the average retail price of $107.69 and lowest price at GoodRx.

U17 pill mechanism of action

Our central nervous system contains mu, kappa, and delta opioid receptors and Oxycodone acts as a weak agonist on these receptors.

Oxycodone primarily binds on the mu-type opioid receptorsand stimulates the exchange of GTP (Guanosine triphosphate) for GDP (Guanosine Diphosphate) on the G-protein complex.

As the effector system is adenylate cyclase and cAMP located at the inner surface of the plasma membrane, opioids decrease intracellular cAMP by inhibiting adenylate cyclase. Subsequently, the inhibition of GABA, dopamine, acetylcholine and noradrenalin takes place.

Opioids also close the calcium channels which are voltage operated and open the potassium channels which results in the hyperpolarization and reduced neuronal excitability.

Acetaminophen comes under the class of weaker analgesics. This drug increases the pain threshold by inhibiting the isoforms of enzyme cyclooxygenase, COX1, COX2 and COX3.

These enzymes are involved in prostaglandin synthesis. Acetaminophen does not inhibit the COX enzyme in the peripheral tissues, just like other NSAIDs, therefore also not shows the anti-inflammatory effects at the periphery.

As per some studies, Acetaminophen inhibits the COX3 which is different from COX1 and COX2, still the exact mechanism of acetaminophen is not clear.

Acetaminophen also possesses antipyretic properties which are caused by its direct effects on the heat-regulating centers of the hypothalamus.

U17 pill side effects

Common side effects of U17 pill:

Tell your doctor if any of the following side effects become severe or don’t go away:

• Upset stomach
• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Blurred vision

Serious side effects of U17 pill:

• Slow heartbeat
• Shallow breathing
• Lightheadedness
• Confusion
• Unusual thoughts or behaviors
• Seizures
• Problems with urination
• Signs of an allergic reaction (may include hives, rash, itching, chest tightness, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat)

Can U17 pill cause dependence?

U17 pill comes under Schedule 2 controlled substance. Oxycodone possesses abuse liability similar to morphine. These are the substances which are used in analgesia and can be abused to higher extent. This medication should not be stopped abruptly because it can cause severe withdrawal symptoms.

U17 pill pharmacokinetics

Absorption and distribution: The mean absolute oral bioavailability of oxycodone is reported 87% (in a cancer patient). It is bind to human plasma protein in vitro about 45%. The enzyme CYP2D6 metabolizes the oxycodone to oxymorphone.

After a single oral dose of oxycodone, the free metabolites such as noroxycodone, conjugated oxycodone and oxymorphone are excreted in human urine. Approximately 8% to 14% of the dose is excreted as free oxycodone over 24 hours after administration.

After oral administration of acetaminophen, its metabolism and excretion is rapid and almost complete from the GI tract. Absorption is complete within 4 hours and is relatively distributed throughout the body fluids.

Acetaminophen is metabolized in the liver via cytochrome P450 microsomal enzyme. About 80% – 85% of the acetaminophen in the body is conjugated principally with glucuronic acid and to a lesser extent with sulfuric acid and cysteine. After hepatic conjugation, 90% to 100% of the drug is recovered in the urine within the first day.

How long U17 stays in the system?

A U17 pill contains a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone. The elimination half-life of oxycodone is 3 to 4 hours where as the elimination half-life of acetaminophen is 2.5 to 3 hours.

And the excretion time of a drug is 5 times the elimination half-life of the drug. Therefore oxycodone eliminated from your body in around 2 to 4 days whereas acetaminophen takes around 1 to 2 days to eliminate completely from your body.

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