Drug interactions
Codeine + Quetiapine
Severity: Moderate
Codeine and Quetiapine: 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
Quetiapine is markedly sedating and can cause orthostatic hypotension, and these effects add to codeine's CNS and respiratory depression. Patients may become excessively drowsy or hypotensive, especially at the start of treatment or when doses are raised.
What this interaction means in plain words
Codeine and Quetiapine 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; Quetiapine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and hypotensive effects.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor for sedation, orthostasis and slowed breathing. Counsel patients to avoid driving and alcohol.
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 Quetiapine
- Adagrasib + Quetiapine Major
- Amiodarone + Quetiapine Major
- Amisulpride + Quetiapine Major
- Amoxapine + Quetiapine Major
- Anagrelide + Quetiapine Major
- Apalutamide + Quetiapine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Codeine with Quetiapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Codeine and Quetiapine 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. Quetiapine is markedly sedating and can cause orthostatic hypotension, and these effects add to codeine's CNS and respiratory depression. Patients may become excessively drowsy or hypotensive, especially at the start of treatment or when doses are raised.
How serious is the interaction between Codeine and Quetiapine?
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 doses and monitor for sedation, orthostasis and slowed breathing. Counsel patients to avoid driving and alcohol.
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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