What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Hydrocodone and lactulose
Hydrocodone's FDA label of May 29, 2026 names lactulose in its drug interactions section; the lactulose label PlainMeds reads does not name hydrocodone. The hydrocodone label: “Concomitant use of HYSINGLA ER with strong laxatives that rapidly increase gastrointestinal motility, may decrease hydrocodone absorption and result in decreased hydrocodone plasma levels.”
Check it at the source: the hydrocodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 29, 2026); the lactulose FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 28, 2026, Chartwell RX, LLC).
What does the hydrocodone label say about lactulose?
Hydrocodone label, drug interactionsStrong Laxatives Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of HYSINGLA ER with strong laxatives that rapidly increase gastrointestinal motility, may decrease hydrocodone absorption and result in decreased hydrocodone plasma levels. Intervention: If HYSINGLA ER is used in these patients, regularly evaluate for the development of adverse events as well as changing analgesic requirements. Example: lactulose
Source: FDA drug label (Hysingla ER), Knoa Pharma LLC, effective May 29, 2026 (SPL set b7d23ac2-e776-9f62-3290-c64c2d6eb353), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the lactulose label say about hydrocodone?
Lactulose's label (effective January 28, 2026) does not name hydrocodone in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
Source: FDA drug label (Lactulose), Chartwell RX, LLC, effective January 28, 2026 (SPL set d6975cd8-80e0-43e2-809a-175ea7e40715), 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
| Hydrocodone | Lactulose | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain | Constipation |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $7.95 per capsule 15 mg capsule | $8.22 per packet 10 g packet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once