Drug interactions
Codeine + Cyclizine
Severity: Moderate
Codeine and Cyclizine: 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
Cyclizine is a sedating antihistamine and adds to the drowsiness and CNS depression produced by codeine. Impaired alertness and psychomotor performance are the main concerns.
What this interaction means in plain words
Codeine and Cyclizine 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.
Codeine belongs to Musculoskeletal; Cyclizine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from opioid agonism and central H1 antagonism.
What to do
Monitor for excessive sedation, especially in older or frail patients, and advise against driving or operating machinery. Reduce doses if drowsiness is troublesome.
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 Cyclizine
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Cyclizine Major
- Cyclizine + Henbane Major
- Cyclizine + Sodium oxybate Major
- Abobotulinumtoxina + Cyclizine Moderate
- Alfentanil + Cyclizine Moderate
- Alprazolam + Cyclizine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Codeine with Cyclizine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Codeine and Cyclizine 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. Cyclizine is a sedating antihistamine and adds to the drowsiness and CNS depression produced by codeine. Impaired alertness and psychomotor performance are the main concerns.
How serious is the interaction between Codeine and Cyclizine?
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 excessive sedation, especially in older or frail patients, and advise against driving or operating machinery. Reduce doses if drowsiness is troublesome.
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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