Drug interactions
Pholcodine + Tramadol
Severity: Moderate
Pholcodine and Tramadol: 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 and tramadol is an opioid analgesic, so together they add to central depressant effects. This may cause drowsiness, dizziness and, at higher doses or in vulnerable patients, respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pholcodine and Tramadol 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-mediated CNS and respiratory depression.
What to do
Avoid unnecessary concurrent opioid cough suppressants and monitor sedation and breathing if both are needed. Counsel patients against driving and alcohol.
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 Tramadol
- Isocarboxazid + Tramadol Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Tramadol Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Tramadol Contraindicated
- Procarbazine + Tramadol Contraindicated
- Rasagiline + Tramadol Contraindicated
- Safinamide + Tramadol Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pholcodine with Tramadol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Pholcodine and Tramadol 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 and tramadol is an opioid analgesic, so together they add to central depressant effects. This may cause drowsiness, dizziness and, at higher doses or in vulnerable patients, respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Pholcodine and Tramadol?
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 unnecessary concurrent opioid cough suppressants and monitor sedation and breathing if both are needed. Counsel patients against driving and alcohol.
What other medicines interact with Tramadol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Tramadol with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Olanzapine / samidorphan, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Tramadol page.
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