Where did hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen originate?

First created in the 1920's by German pharmaceutical company Knoll, Hydrocodone is created by attaching a hydrogen atom to codeine molecules. When it was first released, Knoll believed that this process would make the codeine easier on the stomach and less toxic to the user.

During this time, medical and government officials in the United States were coping with a growing problem: thousands of people across the country were becoming addicted to the opiate ingredients found in the most popular cough syrups of the day. At the end of the 1920's the U.S. Bureau of Social Hygiene funded a study by the National Research Council to examine hydrocodone and other drug compounds as alternative, less-addictive painkillers.

The National Research Council named renowned University of Michigan pharmacologist Dr. Nathan Eddy to head up the study. He studied the effects, safety and side effects of hundreds of different drugs, including heavy-hitters such as morphine, codeine and the up-and-coming hydrocodone.

After a series of ethically-questionable tests on cats to determine the "analgesic" effect of the drugs, Eddy found hydrocodone was one of the most effective drugs in the study in terms of pain killing effectiveness and the predictably of its side effects. There was however, a problem with hyrocodone - is created a tremendous euphoric effect in the animals studied. He felt that the drug was powerful, but that it also held the potential to be highly addictive. In fact, he went on to say that it would be possible for an individual to become addicted to hydrocodone without even realizing it.

Despite Eddy's findings, hydrocodone became a hit on the U.S. market and in the years that followed, grew in popularity as a pain reliever despite its addictive potential.

The current state of HydrocodoneCurrently doctors face stiff penalties if mis-prescribing hydrocodone to a patient. These same physicians are also coping with an addicted patient base - many of whom will lie about illnesses or "doctor shop" in order to gain access to additional prescriptions for the drug. As we move through the 21st century, hydrocodone addiction remains a growing problem in our community.