Azithromycin and Promethazine and codeine interaction

Azithromycin and Promethazine and codeine: both prescribing labels flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.

Major

Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.

What the FDA labels say

From the Azithromycin (Zithromax) label · effective 2026-07-24

Major

This risk which can be fatal should be considered in patients with certain cardiovascular disorders including known QT prolongation or history torsades de pointes, those with proarrhythmic conditions, and with other drugs that prolong the QT interval.

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed

From the Promethazine and codeine (Promethazine Hydrochloride and Codeine Phosphate) label · effective 2025-12-18

Moderate

Cytochrome P450 3A4 Interaction The concomitant use of Promethazine HCl and Codeine Phosphate Oral Solution with all cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors, such as macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin), azole-antifungal agents (e.g., ketoconazole), and protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir) or discontinuation of a cytochrome P450 3A4 inducer such as rifampin, carbamazepine,…

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

Inhibitors of CYP3A4 The concomitant use of Promethazine HCl and Codeine Phosphate Oral Solution with CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin), azole-antifungal agents (e.g. ketoconazole), or protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir), may result in an increase in codeine plasma concentrations with subsequently greater metabolism by cytochrome…

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed

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Not 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.