What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Erythromycin and oxycodone
Oxycodone's FDA label of May 6, 2026 names erythromycin in its drug interactions section; the erythromycin labels PlainMeds reads (4) do not name oxycodone. The oxycodone label: “The concomitant use of OXAYDO and CYP3A4 inhibitors can increase the plasma concentration of oxycodone, resulting in increased or prolonged opioid effects. …”
Check it at the source: the erythromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 1, 2024, Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.); the oxycodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 6, 2026, Rhodes Pharmaceuticals LLC).
What does the erythromycin label say about oxycodone?
Erythromycin's label (effective August 1, 2024) and its 3 other brand-application labels do not name oxycodone in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
Source: FDA drug label (Erythromycin), Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., effective August 1, 2024 (SPL set 75a0bd5a-d09f-483b-bfd8-f8343b149eb2), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the oxycodone label say about erythromycin?
Oxycodone label, drug interactionsMacrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin), azole-antifungal agents (e.g., ketoconazole), protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir).
Oxycodone label, warnings and precautionsUse or Discontinuation of Cytochrome P450 3A4 Inhibitors and Inducers Concomitant use of oxycodone hydrochloride tablets 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 oxycodone 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 oxycodone hydrochloride tablets is achieved.
Oxaydo label (Zyla Life Sciences US LLC, January 4, 2026), drug interactionsClinically Significant Drug Interactions with OXAYDO Inhibitors of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of OXAYDO and CYP3A4 inhibitors can increase the plasma concentration of oxycodone, resulting in increased or prolonged opioid effects. These effects could be more pronounced with concomitant use of OXAYDO and CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inhibitors, particularly when an inhibitor is added after a stable dose of OXAYDO is … drug effects are achieved. Evaluate for signs of opioid withdrawal. Examples Macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin), azole-antifungal agents (e.g., ketoconazole), protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir) CYP3A4 Inducers
Source: FDA drug label (Roxicodone, NDA021011), SpecGx LLC, effective April 24, 2026 (SPL set 5a8157d3-ba20-4abf-b0d4-6ad141b31d63), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Oxaydo, NDA202080), Zyla Life Sciences US LLC, effective January 4, 2026 (SPL set cff0c64a-63f5-4b3c-909a-cdecf6755cbe), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Oxycodone Hydrochloride), Rhodes Pharmaceuticals LLC, effective May 6, 2026 (SPL set a5162476-1217-41c0-bc7e-0a0f123f069f), 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
| Erythromycin | Oxycodone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acne | Pain |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $1.96 per tablet 250 mg tablet | $0.0884 per tablet 5 mg tablet |
| 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