Drug interactions
Hydrocodone + Lorazepam
Severity: Major
Hydrocodone and Lorazepam: major 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
Combining an opioid with a benzodiazepine produces additive central nervous system and respiratory depression. This can cause profound sedation, slowed breathing, coma and death, and regulators carry a boxed warning for this combination.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocodone and Lorazepam can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Hydrocodone belongs to Musculoskeletal; Lorazepam belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression through opioid receptor agonism and enhanced GABA-A activity.
What to do
Avoid the combination where alternatives exist; if both are needed, use the lowest effective doses for the shortest duration and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression. Consider naloxone availability and counsel patients and caregivers on warning signs.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Hydrocodone and Lorazepam, 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 Lorazepam
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrocodone with Lorazepam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Hydrocodone and Lorazepam can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Combining an opioid with a benzodiazepine produces additive central nervous system and respiratory depression. This can cause profound sedation, slowed breathing, coma and death, and regulators carry a boxed warning for this combination.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocodone and Lorazepam?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination where alternatives exist; if both are needed, use the lowest effective doses for the shortest duration and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression. Consider naloxone availability and counsel patients and caregivers on warning signs.
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.
