Drug interactions
Codeine + Lumefantrine
Severity: Moderate
Codeine and Lumefantrine: 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
Lumefantrine is a CYP2D6 inhibitor and may reduce conversion of codeine to morphine, which could lessen analgesia. The clinical significance is uncertain.
What this interaction means in plain words
Codeine and Lumefantrine 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.
Why it happens
Lumefantrine inhibits CYP2D6, reducing codeine bioactivation to morphine.
What to do
Monitor for reduced analgesic effect during antimalarial therapy. Use an alternative analgesic if pain control is inadequate.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Codeine with Lumefantrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Codeine and Lumefantrine 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. Lumefantrine is a CYP2D6 inhibitor and may reduce conversion of codeine to morphine, which could lessen analgesia. The clinical significance is uncertain.
How serious is the interaction between Codeine and Lumefantrine?
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 reduced analgesic effect during antimalarial therapy. Use an alternative analgesic if pain control is inadequate.
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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