Is Kava Safe with Codeine?
Free · No account · based on published sources including NIH ODS, FDA drug labels, and peer-reviewed literature
Avoid kava while taking codeine. The combination may unpredictably alter codeine's pain-relieving effect and increase sedation. Inform your doctor of all herbal products you use.
Why this interaction occurs
Codeine requires CYP2D6 to convert to its active analgesic form, morphine. Kava's inhibition of CYP2D6 may reduce analgesic efficacy while simultaneously causing additive CNS depression through its own sedative mechanisms, creating an unpredictable and potentially harmful pharmacological profile.
Evidence
Evidence level: moderate.
Reported safety data
The FDA’s adverse event reporting system (FAERS) has received 100,795 reports mentioning Codeine. This reflects reported cases involving the medication in general — not confirmed causation, and not specific to the Codeine + supplement combination on this page.
FAERS reports are voluntary and cannot prove that a drug caused an event. Do not use report counts to assess the safety of this specific drug-supplement pair.
Frequently asked questions
Related interactions
All Kava interactions → · All Codeine interactions →
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Educational only — not medical advice.
Always confirm with your doctor or pharmacist.