Drug interactions
Pholcodine + Sevoflurane
Severity: Minor
Pholcodine and Sevoflurane: 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 weak sedative activity. With sevoflurane any additive sedation or respiratory depression is likely small at antitussive doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pholcodine and Sevoflurane 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
Mild additive CNS depression from opioid receptor activity.
What to do
Monitor sedation and breathing as for routine anesthesia. Note that pholcodine has been withdrawn in many countries because of concern about anaphylaxis to neuromuscular blockers.
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 Sevoflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pholcodine with Sevoflurane?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Pholcodine and Sevoflurane 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 weak sedative activity. With sevoflurane any additive sedation or respiratory depression is likely small at antitussive doses.
How serious is the interaction between Pholcodine and Sevoflurane?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor sedation and breathing as for routine anesthesia. Note that pholcodine has been withdrawn in many countries because of concern about anaphylaxis to neuromuscular blockers.
What other medicines interact with Sevoflurane?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sevoflurane with, for example, Amiodarone, Amisulpride, Arsenic trioxide. The full list is on the Sevoflurane page.
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