Promethazine and codeine and Tetrabenazine interaction

Promethazine and codeine and Tetrabenazine: 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 Tetrabenazine label · effective 2019-11-29

Major

Certain conditions may increase the risk for torsade de pointes or sudden death such as (1) bradycardia; (2) hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia; (3) concomitant use of other drugs that prolong the QTc interval; and (4) presence of congenital prolongation of the QT interval [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 ), Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ].

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Moderate

Other important considerations in the differential diagnosis include central anticholinergic toxicity, heat stroke, drug fever, and primary central nervous system pathology.

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

…are known to prolong QTc, including antipsychotic medications (e.g., chlorpromazine, haloperidol, thioridazine, ziprasidone), antibiotics (e.g., moxifloxacin), Class 1A (e.g., quinidine, procainamide) and Class III (e.g., amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic medications or any other medications known to prolong the QTc interval [see Drug Interactions ( 7.5 )].

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

Alcohol or Other Sedating Drugs Concomitant use of alcohol or other sedating drugs may have additive effects and worsen sedation and somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] .

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

…known to cause QTc prolongation should be avoided, these including antipsychotic medications (e.g., chlorpromazine, haloperidol, thioridazine, ziprasidone), antibiotics (e.g., moxifloxacin), Class 1A (e.g., quinidine, procainamide) and Class III (e.g., amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic medications or any other medications known to prolong the QTc interval.

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed

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

Major

…PROMETHAZINE AND RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN; MEDICATION ERRORS; INTERACTIONS WITH DRUGS AFFECTING CYTOCHROME P450 ISOENZYMES; CONCOMITANT USE WITH BENZODIAZEPINES OR OTHER CNS DEPRESSANTS; NEONATAL OPIOID WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Promethazine HCl and Codeine Phosphate Oral Solution exposes patients and other users to the risks…

Boxed warningby drug classView label on DailyMed
Major

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.

Boxed warningby drug classView label on DailyMed
Major

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) ].

Boxed warningby drug classView label on DailyMed
Major

( 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.

Boxed warningby drug classView label on DailyMed
Major

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) ].

Warnings and precautionsby 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.