When To Take Tramadol After Hydrocodone

It generally isn't recommended to take tramadol and Norco (hydrocodone/acetaminophen) within 4 to 6 hours of each other. Tramadol and hydrocodone are opioid agonists and taking both around the same time can cause additive side effects, such as:

• Sedation
• Constipation
• Shallow breathing 

In addition, there are reports that the use of tramadol increases the seizure risk in patients taking other opiate agonists, such as hydrocodone.

If tramadol and hydrocodone are used together, caution is needed and it is recommended to start on the lowest possible dose of each to assess tolerance.

How Long To Wait Between Doses Of Hydrocodone And Tramadol

The duration of action of tramadol and hydrocodone are both around 4 to 6 hours. It is therefore recommended to wait at least 4 to 6 hours to take tramadol after taking hydrocodone.

The caveat to this, however, is that although the analgesic effects of tramadol and hydrocodone last 4 to 6 hours, they both take considerably longer to be completely eliminated from the body.

Tramadol has a half-life of 6 to 7 hours while hydrocodone has a half-life of 3 to 4 hours. It will therefore take about 30-35 hours for tramadol to be completely eliminated from the body and around 24 hours for hydrocodone to be eliminated. If you want to be sure neither drug is in your system before taking the other, be sure to wait the appropriate amount of time.

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