Drug interactions
Modafinil + Pholcodine
Severity: Minor
Modafinil and Pholcodine: minor 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
Pholcodine is an opioid antitussive with mild sedative effects, whereas modafinil promotes wakefulness. Modafinil may offset drowsiness but is not expected to alter the opioid's effects meaningfully.
What this interaction means in plain words
Modafinil and Pholcodine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Why it happens
Opposing CNS pharmacodynamic effects; no established pharmacokinetic interaction.
What to do
No specific action beyond awareness of residual sedation.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Modafinil and Pholcodine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Modafinil
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Modafinil with Pholcodine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Modafinil and Pholcodine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Pholcodine is an opioid antitussive with mild sedative effects, whereas modafinil promotes wakefulness. Modafinil may offset drowsiness but is not expected to alter the opioid's effects meaningfully.
How serious is the interaction between Modafinil and Pholcodine?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No specific action beyond awareness of residual sedation.
What other medicines interact with Modafinil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Modafinil with, for example, Lenacapavir, Leniolisib, Lorlatinib. The full list is on the Modafinil 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.
