Drug interactions
Duloxetine + Hydrocodone
Severity: Moderate
Duloxetine 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
Duloxetine is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and may cause serotonin syndrome with opioids. It also inhibits CYP2D6 moderately, which has limited effect on hydrocodone.
What this interaction means in plain words
Duloxetine 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.
Duloxetine belongs to Central Nervous System; Hydrocodone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic activity plus CYP2D6 inhibition by duloxetine.
What to do
Monitor for serotonin syndrome and sedation, especially during initiation and dose changes. Stop the agents and give supportive care if toxicity occurs.
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 Duloxetine 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 Hydrocodone
- Alvimopan + Hydrocodone Contraindicated
- Bupropion-naltrexone + Hydrocodone Contraindicated
- Hydrocodone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Hydrocodone + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Hydrocodone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Hydrocodone Major
Other interactions of Duloxetine
- Duloxetine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Duloxetine with Hydrocodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Duloxetine 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. Duloxetine is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and may cause serotonin syndrome with opioids. It also inhibits CYP2D6 moderately, which has limited effect on hydrocodone.
How serious is the interaction between Duloxetine 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 serotonin syndrome and sedation, especially during initiation and dose changes. Stop the agents and give supportive care if toxicity occurs.
What other medicines interact with Hydrocodone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrocodone with, for example, Alvimopan, Bupropion-naltrexone, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Hydrocodone 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.
