additional information

Common uses

Codeine is used as an analgesic, a cough suppressant or as an anti-diarrehal agent. The phosphate of the alkaloid codeine is used because of its free solubility in water.

Directions

Individual dosing requirements vary considerably based on each patient's age, weight, severity and cause of pain, and medical and analgesic history. Following successful relief of pain, periodic attempts to reduce the opioid dose should be made.

Normal adult dose varies between 25 to 50 mg every twelve hours.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered if it is within an hour or so. If you do not remember until later, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Precautions

Codeine should be used with extreme caution in patients with substantially decreased respiratory reserve, pre-existing respiratory depression, hypoxia or hypercapnia.

Codeine administration may result in severe hypotension in individuals whose ability to maintain adequate blood pressure is compromised by reduced blood volume, or concurrent administration of such drugs as phenothiazines or certain anesthetics.

Codeine should be administered with caution, and in reduced dosages, to elderly or debilitated patients, to individuals with severely reduced hepatic or renal function, and in individuals with Addison's disease, hypothyroidism, prostatic hypertrophy or urethral stricture.

Codeine may impair the mental and/or physical abilities needed for certain potentially hazardous activities such as driving a car or operating machinery. Patients should be cautioned accordingly.

Codeine should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Codeine is excreted into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

The analgesic effect of codeine is potentiated by amphetamines, chlorpromazine and methocarbamol. CNS depressants, such as other opioids, anesthetics, sedatives, hypnotics, barbiturates, phenothiazines, chloral hydrate and glutethimide may enhance the depressant effects of codeine. MAO inhibitors, pyrazolidone antihistamines, beta-blockers and alcohol may also enhance the depressant effect of codeine. When combined therapy is contemplated, the dose of one or both agents should be reduced.

Possible side effects

Less frequent side effects include dysphoria, euphoria, weakness, headache, agitation, tremor, uncoordinated muscle movements, alterations of mood, muscle rigidity, paresthesia, muscle tremor, blurred vision, nystagmus, diplopia and miosis, transient hallucinations and disorientation, visual disturbances, insomnia and increased intracranial pressure may occur.

If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Overdose

Additional information

Physical dependence with or without psychological dependence tends to occur on chronic administration of opioids such as codeine. The following withdrawal symptoms may be observed after opioids are discontinued: body aches, diarrhea, gooseflesh, loss of appetite, nervousness or restlessness, runny nose, sneezing, tremors or shivering, stomach cramps, nausea, trouble with sleeping, unusual increase in sweating and yawning, weakness, tachycardia and unexplained fever. Individuals who are appropriately treated with opioid analgesics and who undergo gradual withdrawal from codeine, these symptoms are usually mild.

Note