Drug interactions
Papaverine + Pholcodine
Severity: Minor
Papaverine 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 potential. Papaverine may add slightly to drowsiness, though the effect is expected to be small at antitussive doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Papaverine 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
Possible additive CNS depression, with papaverine's contribution weak and poorly characterized.
What to do
Advise patients to watch for drowsiness and avoid driving if affected. No routine dose adjustment is needed.
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?
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Other interactions of Papaverine
- Givinostat + Papaverine Major
- Bretylium + Papaverine Moderate
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa + Papaverine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Papaverine with Pholcodine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Papaverine 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 potential. Papaverine may add slightly to drowsiness, though the effect is expected to be small at antitussive doses.
How serious is the interaction between Papaverine 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: Advise patients to watch for drowsiness and avoid driving if affected. No routine dose adjustment is needed.
What other medicines interact with Papaverine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Papaverine with, for example, Givinostat, Bretylium, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates. The full list is on the Papaverine page.
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