How much hydrocodone can you take and not be impaired?

Answer 1

The non-impairing dosage of hydrocodone is strongly dependent upon opioid tolerance and to a lesser extent individual biochemistry. A common starting dose of hydrocodone for pain management is 5mg every six hours. This dose would likely cause some degree (usually mild to moderate) of impairment in opioid-naive individuals. Someone who has a tolerance would likely not be impaired by this dose.

Individuals who have taken opioids for long periods of time can take hundreds of milligrams per day and still be completely functional, although these doses could easily kill an opioid naive person. The general rule of opioid dosing is start low and gradually titrate the dose upwards. Finally, it is very important that this medication is not mixed with other opioids or depressants, as these combinations can vastly lower the safe dose and increase the risk of overdose.

As the prescription bottle states, "Do not drive or operate machinery (or do anything else dangerous) until you know how this medication will affect you."