Drug interactions
Hydrocodone + Oxymorphone
Severity: Major
Hydrocodone and Oxymorphone: 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 two full opioid agonists causes additive analgesia and additive respiratory depression, sedation and hypotension. Severe respiratory depression, coma or death can occur, and therapeutic duplication offers little benefit.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocodone and Oxymorphone 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; Oxymorphone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive mu-opioid receptor agonism leading to CNS and respiratory depression.
What to do
Avoid using both; consolidate to a single opioid with appropriate dosing. If overlap is unavoidable, limit dose and duration and monitor for respiratory depression and sedation.
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?
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Other interactions of Oxymorphone
- Alvimopan + Oxymorphone Contraindicated
- Ethanol + Oxymorphone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Oxymorphone Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Oxymorphone Contraindicated
- Oxymorphone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Oxymorphone + 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 Hydrocodone with Oxymorphone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Hydrocodone and Oxymorphone 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 two full opioid agonists causes additive analgesia and additive respiratory depression, sedation and hypotension. Severe respiratory depression, coma or death can occur, and therapeutic duplication offers little benefit.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocodone and Oxymorphone?
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 using both; consolidate to a single opioid with appropriate dosing. If overlap is unavoidable, limit dose and duration and monitor for respiratory depression and sedation.
What other medicines interact with Oxymorphone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxymorphone with, for example, Alvimopan, Ethanol, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Oxymorphone page.
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