Benzhydrocodone

Benzhydrocodone
Clinical data
Other namesKP201
Routes of
administration		Oral
Identifiers
  • 6,7-didehydro-4,5α-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan-6-yl benzoate
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC25H25NO4
Molar mass403.478 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • CN1CC[C@]23c4c5ccc(c4O[C@H]2C(=CC[C@H]3[C@H]1C5)OC(=O)c6ccccc6)OC
  • InChI=1S/C25H25NO4/c1-26-13-12-25-17-9-11-20(29-24(27)15-6-4-3-5-7-15)23(25)30-22-19(28-2)10-8-16(21(22)25)14-18(17)26/h3-8,10-11,17-18,23H,9,12-14H2,1-2H3/t17-,18+,23-,25-/m0/s1
  • Key:VPMRSLWWUXNYRY-PJCFOSJUSA-N

Benzhydrocodone (INN) (contracted from benzoate-hydrocodone) is an opioid prodrug of the morphinan class. Its chemical structure consists of hydrocodone coupled with benzoic acid. Benzhydrocodone itself is inactive and acts as a prodrug to hydrocodone upon cleavage of the benzoate portion of the molecule.[1]

It is designed to be an opioid analgesic with a low chance of recreational use.[2]

Created by Kempharm, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company in Coralville, Iowa, President and CEO, Travis Mickle, believes the molecular-based approach to abuse deterrent may be more effective than many formulation-based approaches.[3][4]

When approved, Apadaz received a labeling that highlighted all relevant aspects of the drug, including the lower abuse profile compared to traditional hydrocodone-acetaminophen. The labeling showed several items supporting a lower abuse profile than traditional hydrocodone-acetaminophen; namely, a lower Drug Liking in the first two hours after intranasal abuse (snorting), and the conversion of benzhydrocodone to hydrocodone in vitro being a "difficult process" — with benzhydrocodone being a more difficult drug to abuse according to FDA advisory committee documents.[5][6]

  1. ^ KemPharm, Inc. (June 11, 2013). "KemPharm, Inc. Receives Patent from the USPTO for Novel Pain Drug Candidate, KP201" (Press release). North Liberty, Iowa: PR Newswire. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  2. ^ Lavitt J (June 12, 2014). "New Abuse-Resistant Opioid Receives $60 Million Backing". thefix.com/. The Fix. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  3. ^ "KP201/APAP". kempharm.com/. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "APADAZ (benzhydrocodone and acetaminophen) tablets, for oral use, CII" (PDF). KemPharm, Inc. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
  6. ^ "2016 Meeting Materials, Anesthetic and Analgesic Drug Products Advisory Committee". U.S. Food and Drug Administration.