Trends in hydrocodone combination product exposures reported to California Poison Control System (CPCS) following DEA rescheduling.

Context: On October 6, 2014, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) implemented a regulatory change for hydrocodone combination products (HCPs), moving them from Schedule III to II, in an effort to decrease drug overdoses. Existing research suggests this regulatory action reduced HCP prescribing and dispensing; however, there is limited research assessing its possible effects on overdoses and accidental exposures.

Objective: To analyze the changes in opioid exposures reported to the California Poison Control System (CPCS) before and after DEA rescheduling of HCPs.