Shop products for Codeine 
Combination drugs: Empirin® with Codeine, Fiorinal®, Phenergan® VC with Codeine, Phenergan® with Codeine, Robitussin® AC, Soma® Compound with Codeine, Tylenol® with Codeine
Codeine is a narcotic analgesic (pain reliever) derived from opium. It is used alone and in combination products to treat mild to moderate pain and as a cough suppressant.
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem
contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized
interactions.
 Avoid: Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability—Avoid
these supplements when taking this medication since the supplement may decrease the absorption
and/or activity of the medication in the body. |
Tannin-containing herbs* such as green tea, black tea, uva ursi, black walnut, red raspberry, oak, and witch hazel |
| Depletion or interference |
None known |
| Side effect reduction/prevention |
None known |
| Supportive interaction |
None known |
| Adverse interaction |
None known |
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Interactions with Herbs
Tannin-containing herbs
Tannins are a group of unrelated chemicals that give plants an astringent taste. Herbs with
large amounts of tannins may interfere with the absorption of codeine and should not be taken
together with codeine or codeine-containing products.1 Herbs containing high levels
of tannins include green tea (Camellia sinensis),
black tea, uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi),
black walnut (Juglans nigra),red
raspberry (Rubus idaeus),oak
(Quercus spp.), and witch hazel (Hamamelis
virginiana).
Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds
Food
Codeine commonly causes gastrointestinal (GI) upset. Codeine and codeine-containing products
may be taken with food to reduce or prevent GI upset.2 A common side effect of
narcotic analgesics, including codeine, is
constipation. Increasing dietary fibre (fruits,
vegetables, beans, whole-grain foods, and others) and water intake can ease constipation.
Alcohol
Alcohol causes a loss of coordination, impaired judgment, decreased alertness, drowsiness, and
other actions. Narcotic analgesics, including codeine, cause similar loss of control.
Combining codeine and alcohol increases the risk of accidental injury. People taking
codeine-containing products should avoid alcohol.
