Drug interactions
Pholcodine + Tapentadol
Severity: Moderate
Pholcodine and Tapentadol: 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, so adding it to tapentadol duplicates opioid effects and may increase drowsiness and respiratory depression. Pholcodine has also been withdrawn in many markets because of a risk of anaphylaxis to neuromuscular blockers.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pholcodine and Tapentadol 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 opioid receptor-mediated CNS and respiratory depression.
What to do
Avoid using both where possible, and use a non-opioid cough remedy instead. Monitor for sedation and slowed breathing if both are used.
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 Tapentadol
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Tapentadol Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Tapentadol Contraindicated
- Linezolid + Tapentadol Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Tapentadol Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Tapentadol Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Tapentadol Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pholcodine with Tapentadol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Pholcodine and Tapentadol 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, so adding it to tapentadol duplicates opioid effects and may increase drowsiness and respiratory depression. Pholcodine has also been withdrawn in many markets because of a risk of anaphylaxis to neuromuscular blockers.
How serious is the interaction between Pholcodine and Tapentadol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid using both where possible, and use a non-opioid cough remedy instead. Monitor for sedation and slowed breathing if both are used.
What other medicines interact with Tapentadol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Tapentadol with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Isocarboxazid, Linezolid. The full list is on the Tapentadol page.
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