Does Hydrocodone Make You Sleepy?

Yes, hydrocodone (Norco, Vicodin) can make users drowsy. First, because sleepiness is a side effect of hydrocodone use, and second, because this opioid painkiller can also affect a person’s sleep quality.

Many people don’t consider this element of hydrocodone’s impact. If sleep quality declines, a person will be more tired overall, even if the drug didn’t directly cause drowsiness in the first place.

How Does Hydrocodone Affect Sleep?

Why Does Hydrocodone Make You Sleepy?: 3 Reasons

Hydrocodone is a powerful pain medication that belongs to the class of drugs known as opioids.[1] Opioids have a sedating effect, making a user feel drowsier and more fatigued. 

Hydrocodone is often said to have an especially strong sedating effect, so it is normal for users to feel more sleepy than they did when not using the drug. This is also why people taking hydrocodone should not drive, swim, or engage in other potentially dangerous activities while taking this medication.

1. Respiratory Depression

Hydrocodone can also trigger sleepiness due to its ability to cause respiratory depression, which means it slows down a person’s breathing. This can further lead to a feeling of sleepiness.[2]

Opioid-induced respiratory depression is a major reason why opioid misuse can be so dangerous. When a person’s breathing slows, the level of oxygen in their blood decreases. Profound respiratory depression, which occurs in the case of an opioid overdose, can be life-threatening because a person’s breathing may stop altogether.

2. Poor Sleep Quality

Another issue is that opioids can affect a person’s sleep quality, causing sleep disruptions.[4] Because of this, a person may feel less rested overall, even if they get a “standard” amount of sleep. 

Some sleep-related issues commonly associated with opioid use include the following:

• Disrupted REM and non-REM sleep patterns
• Increased rates of sleep apnea
• Disruption of general breathing patterns

These issues can occur even if you only use hydrocodone as prescribed.

3. Increase in Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Research has indicated that in addition to poorer sleep quality, opioids like hydrocodone can also increase the risk of sleep-disordered breathing issues, such as:[4]

• Snoring
• Sleep-related hypoventilation (low oxygen)
• Central sleep apnea (CSA)
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

These sleep-disordered breathing issues can severely disrupt a person’s sleep cycle, leading to daytime drowsiness and an inability to stay awake.

Factors That Affect Hydrocodone Drowsiness

As is true of most medications, not everyone is affected by hydrocodone in an identical way. Certain factors can influence how hydrocodone affects you, such as:

• Age
• Weight
• Liver function
• Physical and mental health
• Other medications you might be taking

All of the above can affect whether a given individual feels as sleepy on hydrocodone as others do. 

Opioids commonly cause some level of sedation and affect sleep in some way.[4] You should expect to feel more tired when using hydrocodone, but the degree to which you feel drowsy won’t always be easy to predict. If you feel your drowsiness is particularly severe, talk to a healthcare professional.

How Mixing Hydrocodone with Other Drugs Affects Sleep

Mixing drugs with hydrocodone can further disrupt sleep. You shouldn’t use drugs to try to “correct” sleep or energy issues caused by hydrocodone without first talking to a doctor.

Caffeine and alcohol are two substances that can have a significant impact on a person’s sleep and energy levels.[6]

Caffeine and Hydrocodone

Caffeine is a stimulant that works by blocking the action of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep and relaxation.[7] Caffeine can increase alertness, focus, and energy levels, although it can be dangerous in extreme doses. However, caffeine can only help reduce tiredness so much. It also has the potential to disrupt a person’s sleep cycle, which can be especially serious if you’re taking hydrocodone and are already having issues in that area.[8] 

While caffeine can increase energy levels and alertness, it can also interfere with sleep if consumed too close to bedtime.

Alcohol and Hydrocodone

While caffeine may have some place in helping a person get a slight boost in energy, alcohol should never be used to try to compensate for the issues hydrocodone may be causing. As a depressant, some people may try to use alcohol to improve their sleep, but this is not only unhelpful but also dangerous. 

First, alcohol can make a person feel more relaxed and even help them fall asleep more quickly than normal, but it disrupts a person’s sleep cycles and dramatically worsens overall sleep quality. Second, mixing depressants with hydrocodone can be life-threatening.

Hydrocodone is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, and both hydrocodone and alcohol can slow a person’s breathing. Mixing these drugs has the potential to cause overdose and severe respiratory depression, where a person’s breathing may become so weak they can no longer draw in enough air to support their body’s needs.[9] In some cases, this can be fatal.

Risks to Consider Regarding Drug-Induced Drowsiness

Severe drowsiness as a result of drug use can pose a number of risks to an individual’s health and safety. Some potential risks of severe drowsiness include the following:[10]

• Impaired cognitive function: When a person is extremely drowsy, their cognitive function can become impaired, making it difficult to think clearly, concentrate, and make decisions. This can be especially dangerous if the individual is driving, operating heavy machinery, or performing other tasks that require alertness and focus.
• Accidents and injuries: Severe drowsiness can increase the risk of accidents and injuries, particularly if the individual is engaging in activities that require coordination and balance, such as walking or climbing stairs.
• Respiratory depression: Certain drugs, such as opioids, can cause severe drowsiness and also depress the respiratory system, leading to slowed breathing and potentially fatal respiratory failure.
• Increased risk of overdose: Severe drowsiness can make it difficult to monitor drug use, increasing the risk of accidental overdose. Additionally, mixing drugs that cause drowsiness, such as opioids and benzodiazepines, can increase the risk of respiratory depression and overdose.
• Sleep-related disorders: Chronic drowsiness or sleepiness as a result of drug use can lead to the development of sleep-related disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy.

What to Do if Hydrocodone Makes You Sleepy

If you are experiencing severe drowsiness as a result of drug use, there are several steps you can take to address the issue: [11]

• Speak to your healthcare provider: It’s good practice to always talk to a healthcare provider if you’re having issues with how your medication makes you feel. They may switch you to an alternative medication that may make you feel less sleepy. They may also have evidence-backed solutions to improve both the quality of your sleep or your energy levels during the day.
• Practice good sleep hygiene: Sleep hygiene is the set of habits a person adopts to improve their sleep quality. Small changes, like staying active during the day, trying to sleep on a set schedule, and avoiding substances like coffee or alcohol later in the day can all make your sleep more restful and improve your overall energy levels during the day.
• Reduce or eliminate drug use: Some drug use may be medically necessary, but many drugs can impact your energy levels and sleep, especially if you’re using drugs recreationally like alcohol or opioids. Besides the many other dangers associated with drug misuse, unnecessary drug use can hurt your sleep quality and energy levels. If you are struggling with opioid misuse, seek support from a healthcare provider or addiction specialist.
• Seek medical attention: If you are experiencing severe drowsiness, it can be a sign of a serious medical problem, especially if you’re struggling to stay conscious or experiencing symptoms like confusion while awake. In some cases, drowsiness may represent a medical emergency, with severe drowsiness being a sign of an opioid overdose.

Overall, it’s important to prioritize your health and safety and take steps to address severe drowsiness as a result of drug use. With proper medical care and support, it is possible to manage drug-related drowsiness and improve your overall well-being.