What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Hydrocodone and ritonavir
Hydrocodone's FDA label of May 29, 2026 names ritonavir in its drug interactions section; ritonavir's label does not name hydrocodone itself but warns about its class (Opioids (opioid agonists)). The hydrocodone label: “The concomitant use of HYSINGLA ER and CYP3A4 inhibitors can increase the plasma concentration of hydrocodone, resulting in increased or prolonged opioid effects. …”
Check it at the source: the hydrocodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 29, 2026); the ritonavir FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 23, 2026, AbbVie Inc.).
What does the hydrocodone label say about ritonavir?
Hydrocodone label, drug interactionsClinically Significant Drug Interactions with HYSINGLA ER Inhibitors of CYP3A4 Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of HYSINGLA ER and CYP3A4 inhibitors can increase the plasma concentration of hydrocodone, resulting in increased or prolonged opioid effects. These effects could be more pronounced with concomitant use of HYSINGLA ER and CYP3A4 inhibitors, particularly when an inhibitor is added after a stable dose of HYSINGLA … antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin), azole-antifungal agents (e.g., ketoconazole), protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir).
Hydrocodone label, warnings and precautionsUse or Discontinuation of Cytochrome P450 3A4 Inhibitors and Inducers Concomitant use of HYSINGLA ER 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 (5.2) ], particularly when an inhibitor is added after a stable dose of HYSINGLA ER is achieved.
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 ritonavir label say about hydrocodone?
Ritonavir's label does not name hydrocodone itself; it warns about its class (Opioids (opioid agonists)):
Ritonavir label, drug interactionsAnalgesics, Opioid: tramadol, propoxyphene, methadone, fentanyl ↑ analgesics ↓ methadone ↑ fentanyl A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with ritonavir.
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
| Hydrocodone | Ritonavir | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain | HIV |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $7.95 per capsule 15 mg capsule | $0.607 per tablet 100 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A 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?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once