Drug interactions
Amoxapine + Codeine
Severity: Moderate
Amoxapine and Codeine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Amoxapine is a sedating tricyclic-type antidepressant that adds to the CNS depression of codeine. Amoxapine may also inhibit CYP2D6, reducing conversion of codeine to morphine and weakening analgesia, while serotonergic and anticholinergic effects may add to risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amoxapine and Codeine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression, with possible CYP2D6 inhibition reducing codeine activation.
What to do
Monitor for sedation, respiratory depression and constipation or urinary retention, and assess analgesic response. Consider a non-CYP2D6-dependent analgesic if pain control is inadequate.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Codeine
- Alvimopan + Codeine Contraindicated
- Codeine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Codeine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Codeine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Codeine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Codeine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amoxapine with Codeine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amoxapine and Codeine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Amoxapine is a sedating tricyclic-type antidepressant that adds to the CNS depression of codeine. Amoxapine may also inhibit CYP2D6, reducing conversion of codeine to morphine and weakening analgesia, while serotonergic and anticholinergic effects may add to risk.
How serious is the interaction between Amoxapine and Codeine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for sedation, respiratory depression and constipation or urinary retention, and assess analgesic response. Consider a non-CYP2D6-dependent analgesic if pain control is inadequate.
What other medicines interact with Codeine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Codeine with, for example, Alvimopan, Isocarboxazid, Olanzapine / samidorphan. The full list is on the Codeine page.
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