Drug interactions
Cimetidine + Hydrocodone
Severity: Moderate
Cimetidine 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
Cimetidine may increase hydrocodone levels, with a risk of enhanced sedation and respiratory depression. Inhibition of CYP2D6 may also reduce conversion to the more potent metabolite hydromorphone, so analgesic effect is unpredictable.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cimetidine 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.
Cimetidine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Hydrocodone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Cimetidine inhibits CYP3A4 and CYP2D6, altering hydrocodone metabolism.
What to do
Monitor for sedation and respiratory depression and adjust the hydrocodone dose according to response. Use famotidine if acid suppression is needed.
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?
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Other interactions of Cimetidine
- Cimetidine + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Cimetidine + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Cimetidine Major
- Atazanavir + Cimetidine Major
- Carmustine + Cimetidine Major
- Cimetidine + Citalopram Major
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 Cimetidine with Hydrocodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cimetidine 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. Cimetidine may increase hydrocodone levels, with a risk of enhanced sedation and respiratory depression. Inhibition of CYP2D6 may also reduce conversion to the more potent metabolite hydromorphone, so analgesic effect is unpredictable.
How serious is the interaction between Cimetidine 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 sedation and respiratory depression and adjust the hydrocodone dose according to response. Use famotidine if acid suppression is needed.
What other medicines interact with Cimetidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cimetidine with, for example, Dofetilide, Fezolinetant, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Cimetidine page.
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