Can you drink alcohol with Hydrocodone?
Here is what the FDA-approved label for Hydrocodone actually says about alcohol — transcribed, not a secondhand guess.
Hydrocodone and alcohol, from the label
The label's Boxed Warning addresses alcohol directly: concomitant use of this opioid with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. The Drug Interactions and Drug Abuse sections repeat that because the effect is additive (both depress the CNS), combining hydrocodone with alcohol raises the risk of hypotension, respiratory depression, and fatal overdose. This is an additive CNS/respiratory-depression warning, not a disulfiram-type reaction.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drink alcohol while taking Hydrocodone?
The FDA label advises against it. Hydrocodone and alcohol interact (summarized above), and the label directs avoiding or minimizing alcohol while taking it. Confirm with your prescriber or pharmacist for your situation.
How long after Hydrocodone can you drink alcohol?
There is no single number that fits every drug, and the safe gap depends on why the two interact — a drug that adds to alcohol's sedation is a concern while it is still in your system, while a disulfiram-type reaction (like metronidazole's) is avoided during treatment and for a labeled period after the last dose. Follow the specific guidance above and ask the prescriber who wrote the prescription; do not guess a window.
What happens if you drink on Hydrocodone?
The specific effect is described above, from the label. In most cases it means additive drowsiness and impaired coordination, or added strain on an organ the drug already affects — worse with more alcohol and in older adults. If you feel unwell after mixing the two, stop drinking and seek advice; call 911 for trouble breathing, fainting, or a rapid irregular heartbeat.
More guides for Hydrocodone
Source
Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablets — DailyMed FDA Label ↗
Other drugs: Alprazolam · Baclofen · Bupropion · Buspirone · Clonazepam · Clonidine · Cyclobenzaprine · Diazepam · Duloxetine · Fluoxetine · Hydroxyzine · Lorazepam · Methylphenidate · Mirtazapine · all drugs.
The alcohol interaction is transcribed from this drug’s FDA-approved label. This is general reference information, not medical advice. If you drink and take medication regularly, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific situation.