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Drug interactions

Nabilone + Pholcodine

Severity: Moderate

Nabilone and Pholcodine: 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

Pholcodine is an opioid cough suppressant with sedative properties, and nabilone adds CNS depression. The combination may increase drowsiness and impair alertness.

What this interaction means in plain words

Nabilone and Pholcodine 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.

Evidence level: Low

Why it happens

Additive CNS depression from opioid and cannabinoid activity.

What to do

Monitor for excessive drowsiness and advise the patient not to drive or use machinery. Use the lowest effective doses.

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 Nabilone with Pholcodine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Nabilone and Pholcodine 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. Pholcodine is an opioid cough suppressant with sedative properties, and nabilone adds CNS depression. The combination may increase drowsiness and impair alertness.

How serious is the interaction between Nabilone and Pholcodine?

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 for excessive drowsiness and advise the patient not to drive or use machinery. Use the lowest effective doses.

What other medicines interact with Nabilone?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Nabilone with, for example, Alfentanil, Amobarbital, Belladonna and opium. The full list is on the Nabilone 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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