Does Kratom Interact With Vicodin?
Vicodin, a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen, is a potent and dangerous drug.
Mixing just hydrocodone and kratom can cause liver damage. Also, adding hydrocodone as an adulterant to kratom has been known to cause people to overdose or even die.
Because hydrocodone is an opioid [1], there is always the risk of an adverse interaction with kratom. This agonistic interaction happens because kratom and Vicodin interact with the opioid receptors. Due to their similar effects, mixing them could lead to side effects or an overdose.
Moreover, Vicodin is metabolized in the liver by the CYP2D6 enzyme [2], and so is kratom [3]. Taking Vicodin and kratom together can cause them to build up in your system and could lead to toxicity.
Due to the high risk of experiencing severe side effects and the metabolic interaction between these two compounds, combining kratom and Vicodin is anything but safe.
Kratom & Opioid Interactions
Vicodin is classified as an opioid and a narcotic, both of which come with a high risk for dependence and addiction. Vicodin works by binding and activating the opioid receptors in the central nervous system.
There are dozens of other opioid medications, all of which will share a similar level of risk when used alongside kratom. Kratom should never be used in combination with opioid medications unless otherwise specified by your prescribing doctor.
Other related opioids kratom will interact with include:
- Buprenorphine (Sublocade)
- Codeine
- Pethidine (Meperidine & Demerol)
- Fentanyl (Abstral & Actiq)
- Hydrocodone (Hysingla ER, Zohydro ER & Hycodan)
- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
- Methadone (Methadose & Dolophine)
- Morphine (Kadian & Roxanol)
- Oxycodone (Percodan, Endodan, Roxiprin, Percocet, Endocet, Roxicet & OxyContin)
- Tramadol (Ultram, Ryzolt & ConZip)
Is it Safe to Take Kratom With Vicodin?
No, it is not safe to take kratom with Vicodin.
In general, it’s never safe to take any opioid with kratom. Although kratom can relieve people battling opioid withdrawal, it should not be taken with an opioid.
19.7% of people who died of a kratom overdose also took an opioid such as Vicodin.
If you are still wondering whether you can get away with it, we encourage you to consult your doctor.
What is Vicodin?
Vicodin is a prescribed medication for severe pain.
Once you take it, it will change how your body responds to pain. The acetaminophen in Vicodin can also reduce fever.
This medication is often taken by people who have severe pain that won’t be reduced by taking other medications. It’s commonly used for cancer patients, among others.
Vicodin can provide enough pain relief for people to work. However, if you discontinue it quickly, it can cause a lot of withdrawal symptoms.
Vicodin Details & Specifications:
| Drug Name | Hydrocodone/acetaminophen |
| Trade Name | Vicodin |
| Other Names (other generics) | Norco, Lortab, Hycet, Zolvit, Zydone, Lorcet, Maxidone, Co-gesic, Liquicet, Xodol, Stagesic, Zamicet |
| Classification | Opioid |
| CYP Metabolism | CYP2D6 |
| Interaction with Kratom | Agonistic Interaction and Metabolic Inhibition |
| Risk of Interaction | High |
What is Vicodin Used For?
Vicodin is generally prescribed for conditions involving moderate to severe pain, such as:
- Acute pain after a trauma or surgery.
- Chronic pain related to cancer, back pain, or arthritis.
What’s the Dose of Vicodin?
A basic dose of Vicodin contains 5 mg of hydrocodone and 300 mg of acetaminophen. Adults should take one to two tablets every four to six hours. They shouldn’t exceed eight tablets per day.
The step-up dose contains 7.5 mg of hydrocodone and 300 mg of acetaminophen. Adults should take one tablet at a time every four to six hours. They shouldn’t exceed six tablets per day.
The highest dose contains 10 mg of hydrocodone and 300 mg of acetaminophen. Adults should take one tablet at a time every four to six hours. They shouldn’t exceed six tablets per day.
Generic & Brand Name Versions of Vicodin
Vicodin contains hydrocodone (Oxycontin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). It is available in many forms, including:
- Norco
- Lortab
- Hycet
- Zolvit
- Zydone
- Lorcet
- Maxidone
- Co-gesic
- Liquicet
- Xodol
- Stagesic
- Zamicet
What Are the Side Effects of Vicodin?
Similar to other opioid prescription medications, Vicodin has a list of potential side effects. It’s best to take Vicodin strictly following a medical professional’s indications.
The most common side effects of Vicodin include the following:
- Constipation
- Difficulty urinating
- Difficulty waking up
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Fainting
- Itching/swelling
- Lightheadedness
- Mental/mood changes
- Nausea
- Rash
- Seizure
- Severe dizziness
- Sleep apnea
- Slow/shallow breathing
- Stomach/abdominal pain
- Trouble breathing
- Unusual tiredness
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
What is Kratom?
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a plain-looking evergreen tree from Southeast Asia and a cousin of the coffee plant. Belonging to the Rubiaceae family, kratom contains natural alkaloids that can act as painkillers, stimulants, and also sedatives.
For centuries, indigenous people in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and other Southeast Asian countries, have chewed kratom leaves as a means of combating fatigue and relieving pain. Nowadays, kratom can be taken in many ways, including tinctures, capsules, powders, and enhanced extracts. You can also use it as a powder, brew it into tea, or even smoke it.
In lower doses, kratom acts as a cognitive stimulant. In higher doses, it provides pain relief and sedation.
What’s Kratom Used For?
Traditionally, kratom has been used by people as a natural analgesic, energy enhancer, and sleep aid.
Nowadays, kratom is used to alleviate the symptoms of various conditions, including the following:
- ADHD (Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorder)
- Anxiety
- Arthritis pain
- Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome
- Chemotherapy-related pain
- Chronic back pain
- Depression
- Energy & focus
- Fibromyalgia
- Insomnia
- Migraines
- Mood
- Opiate withdrawal symptoms
- Nerve pain
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Weight loss
What’s The Dose of Kratom?
The ideal dosage of kratom will vary from person to person. When dosing kratom, you should consider your previous experience with the herb and your weight.
Generally speaking, the kratom dosage guidelines are as follows:
- Low-Dose Kratom (2 to 6 grams)
- High-Dose Kratom (6 to 12 grams)
We recommend starting with a low dose and feeling how your body reacts to the herb. If you take too much kratom, you will likely experience some side effects.
It’s also a good practice to take tolerance breaks from kratom once every 1 or 2 days.
What Are the Side Effects of Kratom?
As with any other supplement or medication, kratom is not exempt from causing side effects.
However, kratom’s side effects are mostly mild and will only last a couple of hours as kratom weans off your body.
The most common side effects include:
- Anxiety or restlessness
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Depression
- Frequent urination
- Headaches
- Heart palpitations
- Nausea and vomiting
- Numbness
- Sedation and prolonged sleepiness
- Withdrawal symptoms
Other moderate to severe side effects are:
- Addiction & dependence
- High blood pressure
- Liver damage (with long-term use)
- Low libido
- The Wobbles
What are the Different Types of Kratom?
- White Vein Kratom — A stimulating strain that boosts mood and motivation.
- Red Vein Kratom — This relaxing and sedating strain helps relieve pain and sleep.
- Green Vein Kratom — A balanced strain that’s stimulating and used for anti-anxiety.
- Yellow Vein Kratom — Weaker than the white vein, improves concentration, and enhances mood.
Key Takeaways: Is it Safe to Mix Kratom & Vicodin?
It is NOT safe to take Vicodin and kratom together.
Almost 20 percent of accidental overdose deaths included kratom mixed with a prescription opioid. Vicodin also has a very high risk of addiction.
If you’re still considering mixing Vicodin and kratom, don’t self-prescribe and consult your doctor before mixing any medication with Vicodin.
- Marco, C. A., Plewa, M. C., Buderer, N., Black, C., & Roberts, A. (2005). Comparison of oxycodone and hydrocodone for the treatment of acute pain associated with fractures: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Academic emergency medicine: official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, 12(4), 282–288.
- Smith, H. S. (2009, July). Opioid metabolism. In Mayo Clinic Proceedings (Vol. 84, No. 7, pp. 613-624). Elsevier.
- Kamble, S. H., Sharma, A., King, T. I., León, F., McCurdy, C. R., & Avery, B. A. (2019). Metabolite profiling and identification of enzymes responsible for the metabolism of mitragynine, the major alkaloid of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom). Xenobiotica, 49(11), 1279-1288.
