What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Hydrocodone and pregabalin
Hydrocodone's FDA label of May 29, 2026 names pregabalin in its drug interactions section; pregabalin's label does not name hydrocodone itself but warns about its class (Opioids (opioid agonists)). The hydrocodone label: “Due to additive pharmacologic effect, the concomitant use of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, can increase the risk of hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, and death.”
Check it at the source: the hydrocodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 29, 2026); the pregabalin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 15, 2025, Viatris Specialty LLC).
What does the hydrocodone label say about pregabalin?
Hydrocodone label, drug interactionsBenzodiazepines and Other Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants Clinical Impact: Due to additive pharmacologic effect, the concomitant use of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, can increase the risk of hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, and death. … anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin), other opioids, alcohol.
Hydrocodone label, warnings and precautionsUse with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result from the concomitant use of HYSINGLA ER with benzodiazepines and/or other CNS depressants, including alcohol (e.g., non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids [gabapentin or pregabalin], and other opioids).
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 pregabalin label say about hydrocodone?
Pregabalin's label does not name hydrocodone itself; it warns about its class (Opioids (opioid agonists)):
Pregabalin label, warnings and precautionsThere is evidence from case reports, human studies, and animal studies associating LYRICA with serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression when co-administered with central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including opioids, or in the setting of underlying respiratory impairment.
Pregabalin label, warnings and precautionsWhen the decision is made to co-prescribe LYRICA with another CNS depressant, particularly an opioid, or to prescribe LYRICA to patients with underlying respiratory impairment, monitor patients for symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation, and consider initiating LYRICA at a low dose.
Source: FDA drug label (Lyrica), NDA021446 (Upjohn), as published by Viatris Specialty LLC, effective April 15, 2025 (SPL set d4734e7d-5079-455e-8ff5-8f4539c998a9), 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 | Pregabalin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain | Nerve pain and fibromyalgia, Seizures and epilepsy |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $7.95 per capsule 15 mg capsule | $0.0571 per capsule 100 mg capsule |
| 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