Can you drink alcohol with Oxycodone (OxyContin)?
Here is what the FDA-approved label for Oxycodone (OxyContin) actually says about alcohol — transcribed, not a secondhand guess.
Oxycodone and alcohol, from the label
The label addresses alcohol directly, and does so in its BOXED warning. Oxycodone is a CNS depressant, and the label warns that concomitant use with alcohol (grouped with benzodiazepines and other CNS depressants) may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. The mechanism is additive CNS and respiratory depression, not a disulfiram-like reaction. The drug-abuse section adds that the risk of overdose (respiratory depression, hypotension, seizures, death) is increased with concurrent use of alcohol, and that a history of alcohol abuse marks a patient as high-risk. The label directs prescribers to reserve concomitant use with CNS depressants such as alcohol for patients with no adequate alternative, and to limit doses and durations.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drink alcohol while taking Oxycodone?
The FDA label advises against it. Oxycodone 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 Oxycodone 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 Oxycodone?
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 Oxycodone
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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.