Drug interactions
Hydrocodone + Suvorexant
Severity: Moderate
Hydrocodone and Suvorexant: 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
Suvorexant is an orexin receptor antagonist that causes somnolence and can add to opioid CNS depression. This raises the risk of next-day impairment and sedation. Marked respiratory depression is less likely than with benzodiazepines but cannot be excluded.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocodone and Suvorexant 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.
Hydrocodone belongs to Musculoskeletal; Suvorexant belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from orexin receptor antagonism and mu-opioid agonism.
What to do
Use the lowest effective suvorexant dose and monitor for excessive sedation and respiratory depression. Counsel patients regarding next-day impairment and driving.
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 Hydrocodone
- Alvimopan + Hydrocodone Contraindicated
- Bupropion-naltrexone + Hydrocodone Contraindicated
- Hydrocodone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Hydrocodone + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Hydrocodone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Hydrocodone Major
Other interactions of Suvorexant
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrocodone with Suvorexant?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrocodone and Suvorexant 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. Suvorexant is an orexin receptor antagonist that causes somnolence and can add to opioid CNS depression. This raises the risk of next-day impairment and sedation. Marked respiratory depression is less likely than with benzodiazepines but cannot be excluded.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocodone and Suvorexant?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective suvorexant dose and monitor for excessive sedation and respiratory depression. Counsel patients regarding next-day impairment and driving.
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.
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