Drug interactions
Pholcodine + Trazodone
Severity: Moderate
Pholcodine and Trazodone: 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 combined use with trazodone may add to drowsiness and CNS depression. The effect is usually modest at antitussive doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pholcodine and Trazodone 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 from the opioid and the sedating antidepressant.
What to do
Use the lowest effective pholcodine dose for the shortest time. Advise patients to avoid alcohol and driving if drowsy.
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 Trazodone
- Arsenic trioxide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Levoketoconazole + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Trazodone Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pholcodine with Trazodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Pholcodine and Trazodone 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 combined use with trazodone may add to drowsiness and CNS depression. The effect is usually modest at antitussive doses.
How serious is the interaction between Pholcodine and Trazodone?
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. Advise patients to avoid alcohol and driving if drowsy.
What other medicines interact with Trazodone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Trazodone with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Ibutilide, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Trazodone page.
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