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Drug interactions

Brompheniramine + Codeine

Severity: Moderate

Brompheniramine 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

A sedating antihistamine added to an opioid can increase drowsiness, impair alertness and potentiate respiratory depression.

What this interaction means in plain words

Brompheniramine 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.

Brompheniramine belongs to Respiratory; Codeine belongs to Musculoskeletal.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive CNS depression from opioid and H1-antihistamine effects.

What to do

Monitor sedation, avoid alcohol and driving, and consider a non-sedating antihistamine.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Brompheniramine with Codeine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Brompheniramine 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. A sedating antihistamine added to an opioid can increase drowsiness, impair alertness and potentiate respiratory depression.

How serious is the interaction between Brompheniramine 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 sedation, avoid alcohol and driving, and consider a non-sedating antihistamine.

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.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

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