Drug interactions
Pholcodine + Quetiapine
Severity: Moderate
Pholcodine and Quetiapine: 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 that can cause drowsiness. With quetiapine, sedation and respiratory depression may be additive, though effects at antitussive doses are usually modest.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pholcodine and Quetiapine 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 depression.
What to do
Use the lowest effective pholcodine dose for the shortest time and monitor sedation. Advise against alcohol and driving.
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 Quetiapine
- Adagrasib + Quetiapine Major
- Amiodarone + Quetiapine Major
- Amisulpride + Quetiapine Major
- Amoxapine + Quetiapine Major
- Anagrelide + Quetiapine Major
- Apalutamide + Quetiapine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pholcodine with Quetiapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Pholcodine and Quetiapine 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 that can cause drowsiness. With quetiapine, sedation and respiratory depression may be additive, though effects at antitussive doses are usually modest.
How serious is the interaction between Pholcodine and Quetiapine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective pholcodine dose for the shortest time and monitor sedation. Advise against alcohol and driving.
What other medicines interact with Quetiapine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Quetiapine with, for example, Adagrasib, Amiodarone, Amisulpride. The full list is on the Quetiapine page.
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