Drug interactions
Artemether / lumefantrine + Codeine
Severity: Moderate
Artemether / lumefantrine 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
Lumefantrine inhibits CYP2D6, which could reduce activation of codeine to morphine and blunt analgesia. The effect is predicted rather than well documented, and the legacy direction of increased codeine effect is doubtful.
What this interaction means in plain words
Artemether / lumefantrine 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
Lumefantrine inhibition of CYP2D6 may decrease codeine conversion to morphine.
What to do
Monitor analgesic response and consider an alternative analgesic not dependent on CYP2D6 if pain control is inadequate. Be aware of increased codeine exposure with unmodified parent drug effects.
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 Artemether / lumefantrine with Codeine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Artemether / lumefantrine 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. Lumefantrine inhibits CYP2D6, which could reduce activation of codeine to morphine and blunt analgesia. The effect is predicted rather than well documented, and the legacy direction of increased codeine effect is doubtful.
How serious is the interaction between Artemether / lumefantrine 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 analgesic response and consider an alternative analgesic not dependent on CYP2D6 if pain control is inadequate. Be aware of increased codeine exposure with unmodified parent drug effects.
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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