Drug interactions
Codeine + Dexmedetomidine
Severity: Moderate
Codeine and Dexmedetomidine: 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
Dexmedetomidine is a sedative alpha-2 agonist and enhances the sedative and respiratory effects of opioids. Hypotension and bradycardia may also be more pronounced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Codeine and Dexmedetomidine 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; Dexmedetomidine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and sympatholytic effects.
What to do
Titrate each drug to effect, often with lower opioid doses, and monitor sedation level, blood pressure, heart rate and respiration.
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 Dexmedetomidine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Codeine with Dexmedetomidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Codeine and Dexmedetomidine 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. Dexmedetomidine is a sedative alpha-2 agonist and enhances the sedative and respiratory effects of opioids. Hypotension and bradycardia may also be more pronounced.
How serious is the interaction between Codeine and Dexmedetomidine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Titrate each drug to effect, often with lower opioid doses, and monitor sedation level, blood pressure, heart rate and respiration.
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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