Oxycodone and acetaminophen and Promethazine interaction

Oxycodone and acetaminophen and Promethazine: both prescribing labels flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.

Major

Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.

What the FDA labels say

From the Oxycodone and acetaminophen (OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE) label · effective 2025-06-05

Major

…LIFE-THREATENING RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION; ACCIDENTAL INGESTION; NEONATAL OPIOID WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME; CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 INTERACTION; and RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH BENZODIAZEPINES OR OTHER CNS DEPRESSANTS Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Oxycodone hydrochloride tablets exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to…

Boxed warningby drug classView label on DailyMed
Major

Risks From Concomitant Use With Benzodiazepines Or Other CNS Depressants Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5), Drug Interactions ( 7)] .

Boxed warningby drug classView label on DailyMed
Major

Reserve concomitant prescribing of oxycodone hydrochloride tablets and benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate.

Boxed warningby drug classView label on DailyMed
Major

Risks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result from the concomitant use of oxycodone hydrochloride tablets with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants (e.g., non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics,…

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Major

Advise both patients and caregivers about the risks of respiratory depression and sedation when oxycodone hydrochloride tablets are used with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants (including alcohol and illicit drugs).

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed

From the Promethazine (PROMETHAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE) label · effective 2026-04-16

Moderate

The impairment may be amplified by concomitant use of other central-nervous-system depressants such as alcohol, sedatives/hypnotics (including barbiturates), narcotics, narcotic analgesics, general anesthetics, tricyclic antidepressants, and tranquilizers; therefore such agents should either be eliminated or given in reduced dosage in the presence of promethazine…

Warningsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

It should be used with caution in persons with seizure disorders or in persons who are using concomitant medications, such as narcotics or local anesthetics, which may also affect seizure threshold.

Warningsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

Drug Interactions CNS Depressants Promethazine Syrup may increase, prolong, or intensify the sedative action of other central-nervous-system depressants, such as alcohol, sedatives/hypnotics (including barbiturates), narcotics, narcotic analgesics, general anesthetics, tricyclic antidepressants, and tranquilizers; therefore, such agents should be avoided or administered…

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

When given concomitantly with Promethazine Syrup, the dose of barbiturates should be reduced by at least one-half, and the dose of narcotics should be reduced by one-quarter to one-half.

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

CNS Depressants Promethazine Syrup may increase, prolong, or intensify the sedative action of other central-nervous-system depressants, such as alcohol, sedatives/hypnotics (including barbiturates), narcotics, narcotic analgesics, general anesthetics, tricyclic antidepressants, and tranquilizers; therefore, such agents should be avoided or administered in reduced…

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed

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Not medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.