Daridorexant and Acetaminophen And Codeine: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · AI content regenerated Jul 11, 2026 · Source data updated Jun 30, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Acetaminophen And Codeine
Daridorexant
No brand names on record
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
You've been prescribed two medicines that can each make you sleepy. The codeine in your acetaminophen-codeine pill is an opioid pain reliever, and daridorexant is a sleep medicine. When taken together, their calming effects can add up. That may mean more drowsiness, slower thinking or reflexes, dizziness, and even daytime grogginess that lingers into the next day.
The good news is that this is something your care team can plan for. They may adjust the dose of one or both medicines and watch how you're doing. Please don't stop or change either medicine on your own. Just check in with your pharmacist or doctor so they can tailor things safely for you.
Effect: Additive CNS depression when acetaminophen/codeine (an opioid combination) is combined with daridorexant (a dual orexin receptor antagonist).
- Mechanism: Pharmacodynamic (additive), not primarily pharmacokinetic. Both agents depress CNS activity and impair psychomotor performance.
- Direction: Increased sedation, psychomotor and cognitive impairment, and next-day/daytime impairment.
- Evidence: Theoretical; severity rated major.
- Onset: Unspecified.
- Management: Use with caution; consider dose adjustment of daridorexant and/or the opioid, and monitor for excess sedation and respiratory depression.
What happens
An increased risk CNS depression
Interaction Deep Dive
Concomitant use of daridorexant with other CNS depressants may lead to additive impairment of psychomotor performance, including daytime impairment, and risk of CNS depression. Use with caution in patients receiving CNS depressants and consider dose adjustment of daridorexant and/or the CNS depressant if used concomitantly1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Additive impairment of psychomotor performance and CNS depression
How to manage this interaction
Your care team can manage this combination safely. Typical steps include:
- Individualized dosing: The dose of daridorexant and/or the acetaminophen-codeine may need to be adjusted and tailored by your prescriber.
- Closer monitoring: Your team may watch you more closely for heavy drowsiness, dizziness, or lingering daytime grogginess.
What you should do: Keep taking both exactly as prescribed unless told otherwise. Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you feel unusually sleepy, foggy, or unsteady, and avoid driving until you know how the combination affects you.
Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Common questions
Can I take Daridorexant and Acetaminophen And Codeine together?
Taking acetaminophen-codeine with daridorexant can add up to extra drowsiness and slowed reflexes, including next-day grogginess. Keep taking both as prescribed and ask your pharmacist or doctor to review the doses so they can tailor them for you. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Daridorexant and Acetaminophen And Codeine interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How is the Daridorexant and Acetaminophen And Codeine interaction managed?
Your care team can manage this combination safely. Typical steps include: Individualized dosing: The dose of daridorexant and/or the acetaminophen-codeine may need to be adjusted and tailored by your prescriber. Closer monitoring: Your team may watch you more closely for heavy drowsiness, dizziness, or lingering daytime grogginess. What you should do: Keep taking both exactly as prescribed unless… Management is individual — always follow your own care team's guidance.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Daridorexant or Acetaminophen And Codeine need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (1)
- Product Information: QUVIVIQ(R) oral tablets, daridorexant oral tablets. Idorsia Pharmaceuticals US Inc (per FDA), Radnor, PA, 2023. DailyMed
Keep reading about Acetaminophen And Codeine
Keep reading about Daridorexant
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