Alcohol and Promethazine and codeine interaction
Alcohol and Promethazine and codeine: the Promethazine and codeine prescribing label flags this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.
Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.
What the FDA labels say
From the Promethazine and codeine (Promethazine Hydrochloride and Codeine Phosphate) label · effective 2025-12-18
Risks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.
Avoid the use of Promethazine HCl and Codeine Phosphate Oral Solution in patients taking benzodiazepines, other CNS depressants, or alcohol [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) , Drug Interactions (7.4) ].
( 5.9 , 7.1 , 7.2 , 7.3 ) Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.
Avoid concurrent use of Promethazine HCl and Codeine Phosphate Oral Solution with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants because additional impairment of central nervous system performance may occur [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ].
Risks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or other CNS Depressants Concomitant use of opioids, including Promethazine HCl and Codeine Phosphate Oral Solution, with benzodiazepines, or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.
Curated guidance for Alcohol
Combining alcohol with sedating medicines (opioids, benzodiazepines, sleep medicines, muscle relaxants) can cause dangerous drowsiness, slowed breathing, and overdose.
Taking more than these two? Interactions stack. Check your whole list at once; it stays in your browser.
Open in the checkerNot medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.