Mixing the prescription opioid hydrocodone and Ambien, a sedative-hypnotic drug used to treat insomnia, can be very dangerous due to their depressant effects on the central nervous system (CNS). When combined, these medications can cause excessive sedation, respiratory depression, and other adverse effects, some of which can be life-threatening.
This article will explore the effects and dangers of combining hydrocodone and Ambien in greater depth and introduce you to ANR, a groundbreaking opioid dependence treatment.
What Is Hydrocodone, and How Does It Work?
Hydrocodone is a prescription opioid used to control moderate-to-severe pain when non-opioid analgesics aren’t effective or tolerated. It is derived from thebaine or codeine, opium alkaloids that occur naturally in poppy plants.
Most commonly, hydrocodone is prescribed as a combination drug containing acetaminophen. As a single-entity medication, it is only available in the extended-release formulation (Hysingla® ER, Zohydro® ER).
This medication works in the same way as other opioids: it alters pain perception by interacting with opioid receptors in the CNS and disrupting the transmission of pain signals between the body and the brain. Furthermore, hydrocodone stimulates the release of dopamine, inducing rewarding feelings of euphoria and relaxation.
Due to a high potential for opioid abuse, dependence, and addiction, hydrocodone is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance and should be taken strictly as prescribed. In 2014, its combination products were also moved from Schedule III to Schedule II in an attempt to reduce opioid misuse.
Hydrocodone Usage in the USA
Here are some statistics illustrating the rates of hydrocodone use, abuse, and overdose in the United States:
- With roughly 3.6 million people misusing hydrocodone products, this opioid was the most commonly abused prescription painkiller among Americans in 2023.
- Hydrocodone/acetaminophen was the most frequently prescribed opioid in the United States in 2022; that year alone, over 23.5 million prescriptions were issued to almost 8 million Americans.
- Between 1999 and 2022, nearly 206,500 Americans lost their lives to an overdose involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids, including hydrocodone.
- The use of hydrocodone is highest in the Americas; in 2021, almost all consumption of this drug occurred in the United States specifically.
Side Effects of Using Hydrocodone
The most common side effects of hydrocodone include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sedation
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Lightheadedness
If you experience any unwanted effects after taking this drug, talk to your doctor, especially if these do not resolve or only get worse over time. Hydrocodone can also cause serious side effects that require immediate medical care, such as allergic reactions and difficulty breathing.
Opioid misuse (i.e., using hydrocodone in ways other than prescribed, including mixing it with Ambien or other medications without the doctor’s permission) significantly amplifies the risk of adverse reactions. For this reason, you should follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter.
Make sure to track your medication intake carefully; even a single pill taken by accident can put you at risk of a potentially fatal opioid overdose.
Prolonged hydrocodone use and misuse also considerably increase the risk of:
- Organ damage
- Opioid dependence
- Chronic constipation
- Respiratory depression
- Opioid use disorder (OUD)
- Suppressed immune function
- Hormonal imbalances and fertility issues
How Long Do Hydrocodone Effects Last?
Hydrocodone effects last between 4 and 24 hours. The duration of action for this drug primarily depends on its formulation. Extended-release hydrocodone relieves pain for 12 (Zohydro® ER) or 24 (Hysingla® ER) hours, whereas the effects of immediate-release forms wear off within 4–6 hours.
Importantly, certain individual factors, such as the dosage prescribed and the patient’s metabolism, can also impact the duration of hydrocodone effects.
What Is Ambien, and How Does It Work?
Ambien (zolpidem) is a sedative-hypnotic medication prescribed for the short-term treatment of insomnia. It works by stimulating the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which promotes relaxation and helps you fall asleep more easily.
Available as an oral capsule, tablet, or sublingual tablet, this medication is also marketed under other brand names, such as Edluar®, and sold as a generic drug.
Ambien comes in both immediate- and extended-release formulations. While both can help you fall asleep, extended-release zolpidem contains a second layer that takes longer to dissolve, helping you stay asleep throughout the night.
Like all medications, zolpidem can cause various side effects, including:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Impaired coordination
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Severe allergic reactions
If you experience difficulty breathing, itching, a racing heart, facial swelling, or similar symptoms after taking Ambien, call 911 immediately. In some people, zolpidem can worsen mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, so you should discuss your medical history with your doctor to ensure you can take it safely.
Ambien is treated as a Schedule IV controlled substance. Although its potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction is lower than that of many drugs, including most opioids, it still has addictive properties. This medication isn’t recommended for long-term use and should be taken precisely as prescribed to reduce the risk of dependence and addiction.
With this in mind, let’s explore the risks of mixing hydrocodone and Ambien.
Dangers of Mixing Hydrocodone and Ambien
The main dangers of mixing hydrocodone and Ambien are the increased risk of side effects, respiratory depression, and overdose. Both of these drugs act as CNS depressants, so combining them can have dangerous, and even life-threatening, consequences.
Hydrocodone and Ambien cause many similar side effects, including drowsiness and dizziness. Taking them together amplifies the risk of such adverse effects.
Their combined sedating effects also considerably increase the risk of accidents, falls, and injuries, especially since mixing these drugs can also impair your judgment and coordination. For this reason, you should refrain from driving or operating heavy machinery after taking these drugs.
Even when taken on their own, hydrocodone and Ambien can affect your respiration, especially if you have pre-existing lung problems. Mixing them can dangerously slow down your breathing, enhancing the risk of respiratory depression, brain damage, coma, and even death.
A study done by Harvard Medical School researchers also found that patients receiving both prescription opioids and Z-drugs, including zolpidem, face a higher risk of overdose than those using opioids alone. Both hydrocodone and Ambien can cause a life-threatening overdose; mixing them, especially without medical supervision, amplifies this risk even more.
Without prompt medical help, drug overdoses can be fatal. Therefore, you should seek emergency medical help immediately after noticing the following signs of an overdose in yourself or someone around you:
- Trouble breathing
- Unresponsiveness
- Profound sedation
- Extreme confusion
- Reduced heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
- Difficulty staying awake
Do not mix hydrocodone and Ambien with alcohol. Both medications can interact with it, putting you at an even greater risk of adverse effects, including overdose.
Short- and Long-Term Effects of Hydrocodone and Ambien Abuse
The short-term effects of hydrocodone and Ambien abuse may include the following:
- Fatigue
- Sedation
- Headache
- Memory loss
- Hallucinations
- Slurred speech
- Lightheadedness
- Difficulty focusing
- Poor coordination
- Impaired judgment
- Breathing problems
- Decreased heart rate
- Confusion and disorientation
Meanwhile, some long-term effects of combining these drugs may include cognitive impairment, respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, and exacerbated mental health conditions. Abusing hydrocodone and Ambien also puts you at an elevated risk of substance use disorders (SUDs), including opioid addiction.
How Hydrocodone and Ambien Use Can Turn Into Addiction
Using hydrocodone and Ambien without medical supervision is a form of polysubstance abuse that can lead to dependence and addiction. The difference between these two is that dependence is physical, whereas addiction is primarily psychological.
In other words, those dependent take drugs to prevent withdrawal symptoms and feel normal. Meanwhile, those addicted struggle to stop themselves from using the medication, even when it destroys their physical, mental, financial, emotional, or social well-being.
Anyone who takes hydrocodone for an extended time will become dependent because this drug alters brain chemistry. Over time, it causes the brain to decrease endorphin production and create more opioid receptors, leading to tolerance. If not treated, physical dependence can turn into a hydrocodone addiction. Zolpidem, too, can cause physical dependence and addiction.
Importantly, both hydrocodone and Ambien can induce pleasurable feelings, such as euphoria and relaxation. Taking them together enhances their rewarding and sedating effects; as tolerance grows, people need higher doses of these drugs to achieve the same effects as before. These escalating doses increase the risk of addiction and overdose.
Given that both hydrocodone and Ambien can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation, seeking professional help is key to getting off of them safely and effectively.
However, traditional opioid addiction treatments, such as rapid detox, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), etc., fail to address the neurobiological root of dependence. As such, they are more likely to lead to relapse than recovery.
If you’re looking to break free from opioid dependence, Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is your best option. This innovative method facilitates long-lasting recovery by attacking opioid dependence at its core rather than merely managing its symptoms.
ANR – The Most Effective Opioid Dependence Treatment
Developed by Dr. Andre Waismann, ANR is the first and only treatment for opioid dependence that targets its root causes by modulating the endorphin-receptor system.
ANR treatment reverses the damage opioids cause to the nervous system by restoring the brain to its pre-dependence state. It restores normal brain function by decreasing the production of opioid receptors and allowing the body to resume proper endorphin production levels.
Ultimately, ANR repairs the endorphin-receptor system, eliminating withdrawal symptoms and negating the risk of relapse.
Benefits of Undergoing ANR Treatment
The benefits of undergoing ANR treatment include the following:
- Patient safety. ANR is scientifically proven to be very safe. This treatment is carried out by board-certified healthcare professionals in an ICU setting of accredited hospitals equipped with advanced medical equipment. Since each patient receives a personalized treatment plan, it can be safely performed even on those with co-occurring medical conditions.
- High success rate. Thanks to its comprehensive, scientifically backed approach, ANR has an unmatched success rate. It has helped almost 25,000 people worldwide break free from the grasp of opioid dependence.
- Short treatment duration. Unlike traditional treatments, ANR achieves unparalleled results within a very short time; it can help you reclaim your life from opioid dependence in just a matter of days.
Meet Jared, whose powerful recovery story is a testament to ANR’s effectiveness:
Ready to leave opioids, cravings, and the fear of relapse behind? We’re here to help! Contact us today for a free, 100% confidential consultation with no obligation.
Key Takeaways
If you’re struggling with pain and insomnia, consult with your doctor; you shouldn’t mix hydrocodone and Ambien, as this combination can lead to dangerous, if not deadly, drug interactions.
Before you go, let’s summarize the key points of this article:
- Hydrocodone is a potent pain reliever that acts on opioid receptors, whereas Ambien is a sedative-hypnotic drug that helps you fall asleep by increasing the activity of GABA.
- Mixing hydrocodone and Ambien considerably increases the risk of side effects, accidents, injuries, drug dependence, addiction, overdose, and death.
- ANR is a revolutionary treatment for opioid dependence that supports lifelong recovery by reversing the damage opioid exposure causes to the nervous system.
Hydrocodone and Ambien FAQ
#1. Can you take Ambien with painkillers?
Whether you can take Ambien with painkillers primarily depends on the type of analgesic. While it might not interact with some non-opioid pain relievers, you should never mix Ambien with hydrocodone or other opioids. For your own safety, consult your doctor to find out what painkillers you can safely take with zolpidem.
#2. What should I do if I accidentally took both hydrocodone and Ambien?
If you accidentally took both hydrocodone and Ambien, seek medical help. Even if you don’t experience any adverse effects right away, it’s best to err on the side of caution. If needed, call 911 or ask someone to take you to the emergency room; do not drive, as these medications can cause severe drowsiness and impact your reaction time, increasing the risk of accidents.
#3. What medications cannot be taken with hydrocodone?
Some examples of medications that cannot be taken with hydrocodone include sedatives, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and certain antibiotics, such as clarithromycin. As a general rule, you should never mix opioids with other medications without your doctor’s approval. Consult your doctor to learn more about hydrocodone’s interaction with other drugs.
