What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Codeine and oxymorphone
Codeine's FDA label of December 22, 2025 names oxymorphone in its drug interactions section; oxymorphone's label does not name codeine itself but warns about its class (Opioids (opioid agonists)). The codeine label: “MAOI interactions with opioids may manifest as serotonin syndrome or opioid toxicity.”
Check it at the source: the codeine FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 22, 2025, Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.); the oxymorphone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 29, 2026, Aurolife Pharma, LLC).
What does the codeine label say about oxymorphone?
Codeine label, drug interactionsMonoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact: MAOI interactions with opioids may manifest as serotonin syndrome or opioid toxicity (…). … use test doses and frequent titration of small doses of other opioids (such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, or buprenorphine) to treat pain while closely monitoring blood pressure and signs and symptoms of CNS and respiratory depression. Examples: Phenelzine, tranylcypromine, linezolid.
Source: FDA drug label (Codeine sulfate), Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., effective December 22, 2025 (SPL set 010905f9-3bcb-4b50-9fe8-a3ad0010f14c), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the oxymorphone label say about codeine?
Oxymorphone's label does not name codeine itself; it warns about its class (Opioids (opioid agonists)):
Oxymorphone label, warnings and precautionsLife-Threatening Respiratory Depression Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression has been reported with the use of opioids, even when used as recommended.
Oxymorphone label, boxed warningSERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF OXYMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Because the use of oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death, assess each patient’s risk prior to prescribing and reassess all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Source: FDA drug label (Oxymorphone Hydrochloride), Aurolife Pharma, LLC, effective June 29, 2026 (SPL set 22c7652a-aa16-4fa8-89d9-517e69059068), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Codeine | Oxymorphone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain | Pain |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.726 per tablet 30 mg tablet | n/a |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once