Drug interactions
Butorphanol + Pholcodine
Severity: Moderate
Butorphanol and Pholcodine: 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
Pholcodine is an opioid antitussive with sedative potential. Together with butorphanol it may add to drowsiness and respiratory depression, particularly at higher doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butorphanol and Pholcodine 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 opioid receptor-mediated CNS and respiratory depression.
What to do
Avoid duplicate opioid therapy where possible and monitor sedation and respiratory rate. Also note that pholcodine has been withdrawn in several regions.
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 Butorphanol
- Butorphanol + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Butorphanol + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Butorphanol Major
- Alprazolam + Butorphanol Major
- Alvimopan + Butorphanol Major
- Amobarbital + Butorphanol Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Butorphanol with Pholcodine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butorphanol and Pholcodine 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. Pholcodine is an opioid antitussive with sedative potential. Together with butorphanol it may add to drowsiness and respiratory depression, particularly at higher doses.
How serious is the interaction between Butorphanol and Pholcodine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid duplicate opioid therapy where possible and monitor sedation and respiratory rate. Also note that pholcodine has been withdrawn in several regions.
What other medicines interact with Butorphanol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Butorphanol with, for example, Olanzapine / samidorphan, Sodium oxybate, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Butorphanol page.
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