Swallow hydrocodone extended-release capsules or extended-release tablets whole; do not chew, break, divide, crush, or dissolve them. Hydrocodone extended-release capsules and extended-release tablets are difficult to crush, break or dissolve. If you swallow broken, chewed, or crushed extended-release capsules or extended-release tablets, you may receive too much hydrocodone at once. This may cause serious problems, including overdose and death. To prevent this, your doctor may direct you to take laxatives, drink a lot of fluids, or increase the amount of fiber in your diet.
Some medicines contain alcohol
In some cases, drinking while using the medication can lead to death. Though it helps many people, this medication may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction.
How alcohol affects the body
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, mixing alcohol with prescription opioids, such as hydrocodone, can also result in overdose. An overdose occurs when someone experiences harmful reactions caused by taking too much of a substance. This combination medication is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It contains an opioid pain reliever (hydrocodone) and a non-opioid pain reliever (acetaminophen). Hydrocodone works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain.
Symptoms of overdose
- Both of these substances are CNS depressants that slow your breathing and heart rate and reduce your cough reflex.
- They do not require a prescription from your doctor, but can still have important risks when combined with alcohol.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant.
- They can also be found in prescription medications, sometimes combined with other types of pain relievers like opioids (narcotics).
Store at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and light. You should be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription. Extended-release hydrocodone is not for use on an as-needed basis for pain. If you are a medical doctor, clinician, or other professional in a field related to this topic and find errors or inaccuracies within this content, please contact us at You can receive 24/7 text support right away and at your convenience.
What other drugs will affect hydrocodone?
Do not presoak, wet, or lick the extended-release tablets before you put them in your mouth. Using too much of this medicine may cause infertility (unable to have children). Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you addiction counselor definition plan to have children. Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of hydrocodone in the pediatric population. This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription. Hysingla® and Zohydro® are available only under a restricted distribution program called the Opioid Analgesic REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) program.
This pamphlet lists medications that can cause harm when taken with alcohol and describes the effects that can result. The list gives the brand name by which each medicine is commonly known (for example, Benadryl®) and its generic name or active ingredient (in Benadryl®, this is diphenhydramine). The list presented here does not include all the medicines that may interact harmfully with alcohol. Most important, the list does not include all the ingredients in every medication. Beyond the examples noted above, alcohol has the potential to interact negatively with many other commonly prescribed medications. The resources below can help alert you and your patients to important potential risks.
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Similarly, alcohol works as a central nervous system depressant and slows down a person’s breathing and heart rate. Hydrocodone should not be mixed with alcohol or other drugs that depress the nervous system. If a person mixes hydrocodone with alcohol, they will be highly sedated and at risk for major health concerns.
Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. Daily alcohol use, especially when combined with acetaminophen, may damage your liver. Keep this medicine in a safe place to prevent theft, misuse, or abuse. If someone accidentally swallows this drug, get medical help right away. In recognizing the basic brain science of addiction, you can understand that drug dependence is no one’s fault.
