CODEINE SULFATE (codeine sulf)

There are 1 contraindications. These drug combinations generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient. A manufacturer label warning that indicates the contraindication warrants inclusion of a drug combination in this category, regardless of clinical evidence or lack of clinical evidence to support the contraindication.

Drug Interaction

Drug Names

Opioid Antagonists/Opioid Analgesics SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Naltrexone, nalmefene, and samidorphan are opioid antagonists and thus inhibit the effects of opioid analgesics.(1-3) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent administration or the administration of naltrexone within 7-10 days of opioids may induce acute abstinence syndrome or exacerbate a pre-existing subclinical abstinence syndrome.(1,4) Patients taking naltrexone may not experience beneficial effects of opioid-containing medications.(4) Samidorphan can precipitate opioid withdrawal in patients who are dependent on opioids. In patients who use opioids, delay initiation of samidorphan for a minimum of 7 days after last use of short-acting opioids and 14 days after last use of long-acting opioids.(3) Concurrent use of nalmefene tablets with opioid agonists may prevent the beneficial effects of the opioid.(2) PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer of naltrexone states that the administration of naltrexone concurrently with opioids or to patients dependent on opioids is contraindicated.(1,4) Patients previously dependent on short-acting opioids should be opioid-free for a minimum of seven to ten days before beginning naltrexone therapy. Patients previously on buprenorphine or methadone may be vulnerable to withdrawal symptoms for as long as 2 weeks.(1,4) The manufacturer of naltrexone states that the naloxone challenge test, described in the naltrexone prescribing information, can be administered to determine if patients are opioid free.(1) The manufacturer of samidorphan states the concurrent use of samidorphan in patients using opioids or undergoing acute opioid withdrawal is contraindicated. Prior to initiating samidorphan, there should be at least a 7-day opioid free interval from the last use of short-acting opioids, and at least a 14-day opioid free interval from the last use of long-acting opioids.(3) The UK manufacturer of nalmefene tablets (for reduction of alcohol consumption) states the concurrent use of opioid analgesics is contraindicated.(2) Suspend the use of nalmefene tablets for 7 days prior to the anticipated use of opioids (e.g., elective surgery).(2) DISCUSSION: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-control study evaluated pain relief and side effects of 35 opioid-naive patients undergoing cesarean section. All patients received spinal anesthesia (bupivacaine and morphine) and were randomized to also receive placebo, naltrexone 3 mg, or naltrexone 6 mg. Patients treated with naltrexone experienced shorter duration of pain relief (not statistically significant), however incidence of opioid-induced side effects was reduced. Patients in the naltrexone 6 mg group had lower rates of pruritus, vomiting, and somnolence (all statistically significant) compared to the placebo group.(5) In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-control trial ten recreational opioid users were studied to determine the effects of hydromorphone (4 mg and 16 mg), tramadol (87.5 mg, 175 mg, and 350 mg), and placebo after pretreatment with naltrexone (50 mg) or placebo. Results show that lower doses of hydromorphone and tramadol acted similar to placebo. Hydromorphone 16 mg alone caused euphoria and miosis which were blocked by naltrexone. Tramadol 350 mg produced a lower magnitude of euphoria and miosis compared to hydromorphone. Naltrexone partially diminished the euphoria caused by tramadol, while it enhanced some of the unpleasant monoaminergic effects (flushing, malaise, vomiting).(6) A case report describes a 28 year-old ex-heroin addict who was stable on methadone 100 mg daily and simultaneously stopped using heroin and began drinking alcohol. He was admitted to the hospital for alcohol detoxification and, by mistake, was given naltrexone 100 mg instead of methadone 100 mg. The patient experienced withdrawal symptoms including chills, agitation, muscle and abdominal pain, generalized piloerection, and dilated pupils. Treatment of withdrawal was titrated to treat symptoms and required administration 78 mg of parenteral hydromorphone, after which the patient experienced relief for the following six hours.(8) Intentional administration of an opioid antagonist, naloxone, with opioid analgesics has been performed with close monitoring to lower required opioid dose by inducing withdrawal. Three case reports describe patients who had improved pain relief on significantly reduced doses of opioid analgesics.(8) In a double-blind controlled trial, 267 trauma patients were randomized to receive 0.05 mg/kg intravenous morphine either alone or in combination with 5 mg naltrexone oral suspension. Evaluated endpoints include reduction of pain and incidence of side effects. Results indicate that ultra-low dose naltrexone does not alter opioid requirements for pain control, but does lower incidence of nausea [2 (1.16%) vs 16 (11.6%), p<0.001].(9)

CONTRAVE, LOTREXONE, LYBALVI, NALTREX, NALTREXONE BASE MONOHYDRATE, NALTREXONE HCL, NALTREXONE HCL DIHYDRATE, NALTREXONE HCL MICRONIZED, OPVEE, VIVITROL

Drug contraindication overview.

*Children younger than 12 years of age. *Postoperative management in children younger than 18 years of age following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. *Significant respiratory depression.

*Acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or in absence of resuscitative equipment. *Concurrent use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or use of MAOIs within the last 14 days. *Known or suspected GI obstruction, including paralytic ileus. *Hypersensitivity to codeine or any components of the formulation.

Adverse reaction overview.

The most common adverse reactions reported with codeine sulfate tablets include drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and sweating.

Safety and effectiveness of codeine have not been established in pediatric patients. Pediatric patients receiving codeine for the management of pain, especially those who are obese, have obstructive sleep apnea or severe lung disease, or have evidence of ultrarapid metabolism of CYP2D6 substrates, are at increased risk of respiratory depression. Serious adverse events, including deaths, have been reported during postmarketing experience in pediatric patients receiving codeine.

Between January 1969 and May 2015, the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) received 64 reports of respiratory depression, including 24 reports of death, worldwide that were associated with codeine use in pediatric patients younger than 18 years of age. Ten of the 64 reports provided information about CYP2D6 metabolizer status. Seven of these patients were ultrarapid or extensive metabolizers of CYP2D6 substrates; 5 of which reported death.

Most of the cases of respiratory depression, including most of the deaths, occurred in children younger than 12 years of age. Respiratory depression may occur despite therapeutic serum concentrations of codeine or morphine; 1 patient who had concentrations within the therapeutic range died following use of codeine for management of pain after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Codeine-containing preparations are contraindicated in children younger than 12 years of age and contraindicated for postoperative pain management following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy in pediatric patients younger than 18 years of age.

Avoid the use of codeine in adolescents 12 to 18 years of age who have other risk factors that may increase their sensitivity to the respiratory depressant effects of the drug unless the benefits outweigh the risks. Risk factors include conditions associated with hypoventilation, such as postoperative status, obstructive sleep apnea, obesity, severe pulmonary disease, neuromuscular disease, and concomitant use of other medications that cause respiratory depression.

Contraindicated

None

Severe Precaution

None

Management or Monitoring Precaution

None