Codeine
Description
Codeine is an opioid pain medicine used to relieve mild to moderately severe pain. It is also used with other medicines to reduce coughing. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients below 12 years of age.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Codeine
- Constipation
- Dizziness and Drowsiness
- Increased heartbeat
- Confusion
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach pain
- Difficulty urination
- Rash
- Nausea and Vomiting
Uses of Codeine
What is it prescribed for?
- Mild to moderately severe pain
- Cough
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 30 to 60 minutes after an oral administration and 10 to 30 minutes after parenteral administration.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 4 to 6 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
- Is it habit forming?This medicine may be habit-forming in some cases, especially after prolonged use.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women except in life-threatening conditions. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to codeine or any other components present along with it.
Respiratory depression
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with respiratory depression, in the absence of resuscitative equipment, due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Acute or severe bronchial asthma
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with acute or severe bronchial asthma, in the absence of resuscitative equipment, due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Post operative pain
This medicine is not recommended for use in children who have undergone tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO)
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients receiving Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO) due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects.
Paralytic ileus
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women except in life-threatening conditions. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Infectious diarrhea
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with infectious diarrhea due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Acute alcohol intoxication
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with acute alcohol intoxication exhibiting depressed vital signs due to the increased risk of severe respiratory depression and death. Replacement with a suitable alternative should be considered under your doctor's supervision.
Drug dependence
This medicine has the potential to cause drug dependence and abuse. This risk is especially higher if the medicine is used for a prolonged period of time. Patients should be monitored closely for any change in mood and behavior during treatment with this medicine. Abrupt discontinuation is not recommended since it may cause withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal of therapy should be done gradually with close monitoring of the patient.
Intracranial pressure
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with head injury or intracranial lesions since it may elevate the intracranial pressure and worsen the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Biliary spasm
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with biliary or gallbladder diseases due to the increased risk of biliary spasm and worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Missed Dose
If a dose of this medicine is missed, take the dose as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine
Aripiprazole
Linezolid
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Ramelteon
Alvimopan
Disease interactions
Hypotension
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of hypotension due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Addison's Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of Addison's disease due to the increased risk of respiratory depression and prolonged CNS depression. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Hypothyroidism
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with hypothyroidism due to the increased risk of respiratory depression and prolonged CNS depression. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Seizure disorders
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with seizure disorders due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Arrhythmias
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with Arrhythmias due to the increased risk of bradycardia and worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Inflammatory bowel disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with Inflammatory bowel disease due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine exactly as instructed by the doctor. Do not take larger amounts than prescribed. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of any severe side effects. Ensure that the treatment course is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. It also acts on the part of the brain responsible for coughing.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Narcotic analgesics, Antitussives
Schedule
Schedule H1
Codeine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 18 October 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 18 October 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 18 October 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - Codeine sulfate tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 18 October 2017]. Available from:
Codeine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 18 October 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 1 Nov 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.