Drug interactions
Codeine + Pimozide
Severity: Moderate
Codeine and Pimozide: 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
Pimozide is a sedating antipsychotic and adds to the CNS and respiratory depressant effects of codeine. Pimozide also has QT-prolonging potential and is metabolized by CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, so sedation and cardiac risk should be considered.
What this interaction means in plain words
Codeine and Pimozide 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; Pimozide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from both agents.
What to do
Use the lowest effective codeine dose and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression. Check the QT interval if other risk factors for QT prolongation are present.
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 Pimozide
- Adagrasib + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Anagrelide + Pimozide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Codeine with Pimozide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Codeine and Pimozide 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. Pimozide is a sedating antipsychotic and adds to the CNS and respiratory depressant effects of codeine. Pimozide also has QT-prolonging potential and is metabolized by CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, so sedation and cardiac risk should be considered.
How serious is the interaction between Codeine and Pimozide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective codeine dose and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression. Check the QT interval if other risk factors for QT prolongation are present.
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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