Drug interactions
Codeine + Difenoxin
Severity: Moderate
Codeine and Difenoxin: 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
Difenoxin is an opioid antidiarrheal related to diphenoxylate and can add to CNS depression from codeine. Excess sedation, constipation and respiratory depression are possible, especially at high doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Codeine and Difenoxin 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; Difenoxin belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Additive opioid-receptor mediated CNS depression and reduced gut motility.
What to do
Avoid unnecessary combined use; monitor sedation and bowel function and use the lowest effective doses.
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 Difenoxin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Codeine with Difenoxin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Codeine and Difenoxin 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. Difenoxin is an opioid antidiarrheal related to diphenoxylate and can add to CNS depression from codeine. Excess sedation, constipation and respiratory depression are possible, especially at high doses.
How serious is the interaction between Codeine and Difenoxin?
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 unnecessary combined use; monitor sedation and bowel function and use the lowest effective doses.
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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