Drug interactions
Clonidine + Codeine
Severity: Moderate
Clonidine 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
Clonidine adds sedation and hypotension to opioid effects. Together with codeine they can cause marked drowsiness, low blood pressure and respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clonidine 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.
Clonidine belongs to Cardiovascular; Codeine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and hypotension from alpha-2 agonism and opioid activity.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and sedation and reduce doses if needed. Advise patients to rise slowly and avoid driving until response is known.
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
Other interactions of Clonidine
- Acebutolol + Clonidine Major
- Amifostine + Clonidine Major
- Amiodarone + Clonidine Major
- Amoxapine + Clonidine Major
- Atenolol-chlorthalidone + Clonidine Major
- Atenolol + Clonidine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clonidine with Codeine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clonidine 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. Clonidine adds sedation and hypotension to opioid effects. Together with codeine they can cause marked drowsiness, low blood pressure and respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Clonidine 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 blood pressure and sedation and reduce doses if needed. Advise patients to rise slowly and avoid driving until response is known.
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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