Drug interactions
Difenoxin + Morphine
Severity: Moderate
Difenoxin and Morphine: 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 that is the active metabolite of diphenoxylate. With morphine it adds to CNS and respiratory depression and to constipation, with a risk of ileus.
What this interaction means in plain words
Difenoxin and Morphine 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 belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Morphine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive mu-opioid receptor agonism affecting CNS, respiration and gut motility.
What to do
Monitor sedation, respiratory rate and bowel function, and avoid exceeding recommended difenoxin doses. Reassess the need for antidiarrheal therapy in patients on opioids.
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 Morphine
- Alvimopan + Morphine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Morphine Contraindicated
- Morphine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Morphine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Morphine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Morphine Major
Other interactions of Difenoxin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Difenoxin with Morphine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Difenoxin and Morphine 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 that is the active metabolite of diphenoxylate. With morphine it adds to CNS and respiratory depression and to constipation, with a risk of ileus.
How serious is the interaction between Difenoxin and Morphine?
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 sedation, respiratory rate and bowel function, and avoid exceeding recommended difenoxin doses. Reassess the need for antidiarrheal therapy in patients on opioids.
What other medicines interact with Morphine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Morphine with, for example, Alvimopan, Isocarboxazid, Olanzapine / samidorphan. The full list is on the Morphine page.
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