Alcohol and Vicodin: Is It Safe to Mix?

hydrocodone and alcohol

Upon mixing hydrocodone and alcohol, a person may feel peaceful or relaxed. However, some unseen risks or events may occur after the initial euphoria wears off. Using both drugs together not only causes a person to be more drowsy and dizzy but also increases their risk of overdosing from either drug. When hydrocodone and alcohol are taken together, the side effects of each are magnified. Both of these substances are CNS depressants that slow your breathing and heart rate and reduce your cough reflex.

Are There Risks to Mixing Non-opioid Pain Medications and Alcohol?

Using how long does cymbalta withdrawal last this medicine while you are pregnant may cause neonatal withdrawal syndrome in your newborn babies. Tell your doctor right away if your baby has an abnormal sleep pattern, diarrhea, a high-pitched cry, irritability, shakiness or tremors, weight loss, vomiting, or fails to gain weight. This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use hydrocodone only for the indication prescribed. Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with hydrocodone. You should refer to the prescribing information for hydrocodone for cyclobenzaprine interactions with alcohol a complete list of interactions. Alcohol is found in many over-the-counter medicines, including cough syrups. Your doctor can explain the consequences of mixing painkillers and alcohol.

There are reasons why medical professionals prescribing hydrocodone caution against drinking while taking these highly addictive opioid pills. Mixing hydrocodone (an opioid painkiller) with alcohol can lead to a host of severe health problems ranging from lack of motor control to heart failure and coma. Combining these substances is a drinking out of boredom gamble that could cost you your life. The CDC found that alcohol abuse is common among those who abuse prescription drugs as their primary substance of addiction. One analysis found that alcohol was involved in 18.5 percent of opioid-caused emergency room admissions and 22.1 percent of opioid overdose deaths. Alcohol and opioids are both depressants, meaning they lead to relaxation, pleasure, changes to breathing and heart rate, and trouble thinking clearly or remembering events.

  1. Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with hydrocodone.
  2. These may be symptoms of opioid-induced hyperalgesia and allodynia.
  3. All opioids act on the same opioid receptors in the brain, the central nervous system (CNS) and the digestive system.
  4. Even if naloxone or a similar drug is given to reverse opioid activity, a person may still experience the negative repercussions of alcohol poisoning.
  5. Unfortunately, there are no such drugs that counteract alcohol.

If you or someone you love is struggling with hydrocodone or alcohol addiction, The Recovery Village Ridgefield is here to help. Contact us today to speak with a representative and learn more about addiction treatment programs that can work well for your situation. Located in the Pacific Northwest, The Recovery Village Ridgefield provides various treatment levels designed to meet your specific needs. We offer residential treatment programs with around-the-clock medical support and outpatient treatment programs for those needing less intense care. We also connect you with long-term aftercare designed to aid in your transition back to everyday life.

hydrocodone and alcohol

Make sure your doctor knows if you or anyone in your family has ever had a heart rhythm problem including QT prolongation. It is very important that your doctor check your progress while you are using this medicine, especially within the first 24 to 72 hours of treatment. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

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If a person overdoses on hydrocodone, it is extremely important to call 911. The person needs emergency medical attention to survive and mitigate long-term damage. With so many people struggling with opioid and alcohol abuse, it is likely that these two conditions will overlap.

Physical Effects of Mixing Hydrocodone and Alcohol

We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.

Effects and Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Opioids

Many people may be more familiar with the brand names of drugs that contain hydrocodone, such as Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet or Norco. Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur.

If you have found yourself unable to quit a drug habit, don’t try to go it alone. It’s imperative that you seek medically assisted treatment to fully detox from these substances and cope with the withdrawal symptoms. Learn more about the dangers of mixing these substances below.