Drug interactions
Codeine + Difelikefalin
Severity: Moderate
Codeine and Difelikefalin: 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
Difelikefalin is a peripherally restricted kappa-opioid agonist that can cause somnolence and dizziness. Together with codeine, sedation and dizziness may be increased, especially in dialysis patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Codeine and Difelikefalin 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; Difelikefalin belongs to Dermatology.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant effects through opioid receptor activity and general sedation.
What to do
Monitor for excess drowsiness, dizziness and falls, and reduce the codeine dose if sedation develops. Note that codeine metabolites accumulate in renal impairment.
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 Difelikefalin
- Acetazolamide + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Alprazolam + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Amantadine + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Amobarbital + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Asenapine + Difelikefalin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Codeine with Difelikefalin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Codeine and Difelikefalin 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. Difelikefalin is a peripherally restricted kappa-opioid agonist that can cause somnolence and dizziness. Together with codeine, sedation and dizziness may be increased, especially in dialysis patients.
How serious is the interaction between Codeine and Difelikefalin?
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 excess drowsiness, dizziness and falls, and reduce the codeine dose if sedation develops. Note that codeine metabolites accumulate in renal impairment.
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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