Drug interactions
Perphenazine + Pholcodine
Severity: Moderate
Perphenazine 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 antitussive with CNS depressant properties. With perphenazine it may cause additive drowsiness and, at higher doses, respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Perphenazine 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.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant effects of opioid and phenothiazine.
What to do
Counsel on drowsiness and avoid alcohol and other sedatives. Use the lowest effective pholcodine dose for the shortest time.
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 Perphenazine
- Ibutilide + Perphenazine Contraindicated
- Perphenazine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Perphenazine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Perphenazine Major
- Alfentanil + Perphenazine Major
- Amiodarone + Perphenazine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Perphenazine with Pholcodine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Perphenazine 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 antitussive with CNS depressant properties. With perphenazine it may cause additive drowsiness and, at higher doses, respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Perphenazine 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: Counsel on drowsiness and avoid alcohol and other sedatives. Use the lowest effective pholcodine dose for the shortest time.
What other medicines interact with Perphenazine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Perphenazine with, for example, Ibutilide, Pimozide, Thioridazine. The full list is on the Perphenazine page.
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