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Drug interactions

Codeine + Prasugrel

Severity: Moderate

Codeine and Prasugrel: 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

Opioids slow gastric emptying and can delay and reduce absorption of oral prasugrel's active metabolite, potentially weakening early antiplatelet effect. This matters most in acute coronary syndrome or PCI.

What this interaction means in plain words

Codeine and Prasugrel 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; Prasugrel belongs to Cardiovascular.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Opioid-induced delayed gastric emptying reduces the rate and extent of prasugrel absorption.

What to do

Avoid opioids where possible around loading of prasugrel in acute coronary syndrome. Consider a parenteral antiplatelet agent if an opioid is required.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Codeine with Prasugrel?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Codeine and Prasugrel 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. Opioids slow gastric emptying and can delay and reduce absorption of oral prasugrel's active metabolite, potentially weakening early antiplatelet effect. This matters most in acute coronary syndrome or PCI.

How serious is the interaction between Codeine and Prasugrel?

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 opioids where possible around loading of prasugrel in acute coronary syndrome. Consider a parenteral antiplatelet agent if an opioid is required.

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.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

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