Skip to main content

What the FDA labels say about taking them together

Acetaminophen/benzhydrocodone and ritonavir

Acetaminophen/benzhydrocodone's FDA label of January 7, 2025 names ritonavir in its drug interactions section; the ritonavir label PlainMeds reads does not name acetaminophen/benzhydrocodone. The acetaminophen/benzhydrocodone label: “The concomitant use of APADAZ and CYP3A4 inducers can decrease the plasma concentration of hydrocodone, resulting in decreased efficacy or onset of a withdrawal syndrome in patients who have developed physical …”

Check it at the source: the acetaminophen/benzhydrocodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 7, 2025, Zevra Therapeutics, Inc.); the ritonavir FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 23, 2026, AbbVie Inc.).

What does the acetaminophen/benzhydrocodone label say about ritonavir?

Acetaminophen/benzhydrocodone label, drug interactions

CYP3A4 Inducers Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of APADAZ and CYP3A4 inducers can decrease the plasma concentration of hydrocodone, resulting in decreased efficacy or onset of a withdrawal syndrome in patients who have developed physical dependence to hydrocodone. … Intervention: If concomitant use is necessary, consider increasing the APADAZ dosage until stable drug effects are achieved [see Dosage and Administration ( 2 )]. Assess for signs of opioid withdrawal. …

Acetaminophen/benzhydrocodone label, warnings and precautions

Use or Discontinuation of Cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 Inhibitors and Inducers Concomitant use of APADAZ with a CYP3A4 inhibitor, such as macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin), azole-antifungal agents (e.g., ketoconazole), and protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir), may increase plasma concentrations of hydrocodone and prolong opioid adverse reactions, which may cause potentially fatal respiratory depression [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )], particularly when an inhibitor is added after a stable dose of APADAZ is achieved.

Source: FDA drug label (APADAZ), Zevra Therapeutics, Inc., effective January 7, 2025 (SPL set 0590d4e5-7107-4015-a6a8-deac14265aa2), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed

What does the ritonavir label say about acetaminophen/benzhydrocodone?

Ritonavir's label (effective July 23, 2026) does not name acetaminophen/benzhydrocodone in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.

Source: FDA drug label (Norvir), AbbVie Inc., effective July 23, 2026 (SPL set 2849298e-de6e-47bb-8194-56e075b33fc3), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed

These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.

Both medicines on the record

0Acetaminophen/benzhydrocodone generic labelers
7Ritonavir generic labelers
Acetaminophen/benzhydrocodoneRitonavir
Labeled forPainHIV
Boxed warningYesYes
Pharmacy cost (NADAC)n/a$0.607 per tablet 100 mg tablet
Shortage nowNo current entryA presentation being discontinued

Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)

What next?