Avoid use in patients with diarrhea secondary to poisoning or infection. Use with caution in patients with respiratory depression or respiratory disease. Codeine combined with an MAOI may result in a severe hypertensive reaction. To be safe, ensure a 2-week washout period before using the opioid. If this is not possible, use with caution.
Naloxone reverses the effects of codeine.
Sulfinpyrazone may increase the risk of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, particularly when acetaminophen is used at high doses. Acetaminophen may augment the effects of warfarin although these effects are associated with prolonged use of acetaminophen at high doses. Avoid abrupt discontinuation of codeine following prolonged use as physiologic dependence may have developed.