Codeine Interactions

Codeine is used to relieve mild to moderate pain. It is also used, usually in combination with other medications, to reduce coughing. Codeine will help relieve symptoms but will not treat the cause of symptoms or speed recovery. Codeine belongs to a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics and to a class of medications called antitussives. When codeine is used to treat pain, it works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. When codeine is used to reduce coughing, it works by decreasing the activity in the part of the brain that causes coughing.

Codeine is also available in combination with acetaminophen (Capital and Codeine, Tylenol with Codeine), aspirin, carisoprodol, and promethazine and as an ingredient in many cough and cold medications. This monograph only includes information about the use of codeine. If you are taking a codeine combination product, be sure to read information about all the ingredients in the product you are taking and ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

See More information Regarding Codeine

Brand Names Associated with Codeine

  • Airacof® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Diphenhydramine, Phenylephrine)
  • Ala-Hist AC® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Phenylephrine)
  • Allfen CD® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Ambenyl® (as a combination product containing Bromodiphenhydramine, Codeine)
  • Ambophen® (as a combination product containing Bromodiphenhydramine, Codeine)
  • Antituss AC® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Bitex® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Bromanyl® (as a combination product containing Bromodiphenhydramine, Codeine)
  • Bromotuss® with Codeine (as a combination product containing Bromodiphenhydramine, Codeine)
  • Bron-Tuss® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Brontex® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Brovex CB® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Codeine)
  • Brovex PBC® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine)
  • Calcidrine® (as a combination product containing Anhydrous Calcium Iodide, Codeine)
  • Cheracol® with Codeine (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Cheratussin® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Codafen® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Codeine
  • Codimal PH® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)
  • Cotab A® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Codeine)
  • Demi-Cof® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine, Potassium Iodide)
  • Dex-Tuss® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Diabetic Tussin C® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Dicomal-PH® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)
  • Duraganidin NR® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • EndaCof AC® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Codeine)
  • Endal CD® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Diphenhydramine, Phenylephrine)
  • ExeClear-C® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Gani-Tuss NR® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Giltuss Ped-C® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)
  • Glydeine® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Guaifen AC® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Guiatuss AC® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Guiatussin® with Codeine (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Halotussin AC® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Iophen® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • M-Clear WC® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • M-End PE® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine)
  • Mar-cof CG® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Maxiphen CD® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)
  • Mytussin AC® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Nalex® AC (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Codeine)
  • Notuss AC® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Codeine)
  • Notuss PE® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Phenylephrine)
  • Pediacof® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine, Potassium Iodide)
  • Pedituss® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine, Potassium Iodide)
  • Pentazine VC® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Phenylephrine, Promethazine)
  • Pentazine® with Codeine (as a combination product containing Codeine, Promethazine)
  • Phenergan® VC with Codeine (as a combination product containing Codeine, Phenylephrine, Promethazine)
  • Phenergan® with Codeine (as a combination product containing Codeine, Promethazine)
  • Poly-Tussin AC® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine)
  • Prometh® with Codeine (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin, Promethazine)
  • Robafen AC® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Robichem AC® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Robitussin® AC (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Rolatuss® (as a combination product containing Ammonium Chloride, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine)
  • Romilar AC® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Tusnel C® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Tussi Organidin® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Tussiden C® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Tussirex® (as a combination product containing Caffeine, Codeine, Pheniramine, Phenylephrine, Salicylic Acid)
  • Tusso-C® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Guaifenesin)
  • Tuzistra XR® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Codeine)
  • Vanacof® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Dexchlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)
  • Z Tuss AC® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Codeine)
  • Zodryl AC® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Codeine)
  • Zotex C® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)

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The drugs below are categorized by the severity of their interaction (see description of categories at the bottom of the page).

Click the drug name (listed by the generic name) to view specific drug-drug interaction details.
Navigate: Contraindicated | Major | Moderate

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What Do The Severity Ratings Mean?

Contraindicated

These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects. Combining these medications can lead to dangerous health outcomes and should be strictly avoided unless otherwise instructed by your provider.


Major

This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. It may be necessary to change a medication or dosage to prevent harm.


Moderate

This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It's important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health.


Minor

While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific circumstances and medical conditions.

Drug interaction information is compilated from several drug compendia, including:

  • Gold Standard Drug Database
  • Micromedix
  • Lexicomp
  • PubMed

The information posted is fact-checked by HelloPharmacist clinicians and reviewed quarterly.