Drug interactions
Bupropion + Hydrocodone
Severity: Moderate
Bupropion and Hydrocodone: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Bupropion strongly inhibits CYP2D6, which converts hydrocodone to hydromorphone, a more potent opioid metabolite. Exposure to hydrocodone may rise while hydromorphone formation falls, so analgesia may change unpredictably. Both agents also have serotonergic or seizure-threshold effects that may add to risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Bupropion and Hydrocodone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Bupropion belongs to Central Nervous System; Hydrocodone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Bupropion and its metabolites inhibit CYP2D6-mediated O-demethylation of hydrocodone, altering parent drug and metabolite exposure.
What to do
Monitor for changes in analgesic effect, sedation and respiratory depression when starting or stopping bupropion, and titrate hydrocodone to response. Watch for signs of serotonin toxicity or seizures.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Bupropion and Hydrocodone, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Bupropion
- Bupropion + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
Other interactions of Hydrocodone
- Alvimopan + Hydrocodone Contraindicated
- Bupropion-naltrexone + Hydrocodone Contraindicated
- Hydrocodone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Hydrocodone + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Hydrocodone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Hydrocodone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Bupropion with Hydrocodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Bupropion and Hydrocodone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Bupropion strongly inhibits CYP2D6, which converts hydrocodone to hydromorphone, a more potent opioid metabolite. Exposure to hydrocodone may rise while hydromorphone formation falls, so analgesia may change unpredictably. Both agents also have serotonergic or seizure-threshold effects that may add to risk.
How serious is the interaction between Bupropion and Hydrocodone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for changes in analgesic effect, sedation and respiratory depression when starting or stopping bupropion, and titrate hydrocodone to response. Watch for signs of serotonin toxicity or seizures.
What other medicines interact with Bupropion?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Bupropion with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Linezolid, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Bupropion page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
