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- $Unique_ID{BRK03103}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{codeine}
- $Subject{Codeine Phosphate Sulfate Analgesic cough suppressant narcotic
- analgesic central nervous system brain spinal cord mild moderate pain suppress
- coughing}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- codeine
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Codeine Phosphate (various manufacturers)
- Codeine Sulfate (various manufacturers)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Analgesic and cough suppressant
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- codeine
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Tablets (15 mg, 30 mg, and 60 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Codeine tablets should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed,
- light-resistant container.
-
- USES
-
- Codeine is a narcotic analgesic that acts directly on the central nervous
- system (brain and spinal cord). It is used to relieve mild to moderate pain or
- to suppress coughing.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- In order to avoid stomach upset, you can take codeine with food or milk.
- This drug works best if you take it at the onset of pain, rather than
- waiting until the pain becomes intense.
- If you are taking this medication on a regular schedule and you miss a
- dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for
- your next dose. In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return
- to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, false sense of
- well-being, flushing, light-headedness, loss of appetite, nausea, painful or
- difficult urination, or sweating. These side effects should disappear as your
- body adjusts to the medication.
- If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
- drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to
- reduce mouth dryness.
- If you feel dizzy, light-headed, or nauseated, sit or lie down for a
- while; get up from a sitting or lying position slowly, and be careful on
- stairs.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- anxiety, breathing difficulties, excitation, fatigue, palpitations, rash,
- restlessness, sore throat and fever, tremors, or weakness.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Codeine interacts with several other types of medications:
- 1. Concurrent use of this medication with other central nervous system
- depressants (such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine
- tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with
- tricyclic antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness.
- 2. A monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor taken within 14 days of this
- medication can lead to unpredictable and severe side effects.
- 3. Cimetidine, combined with this medication, can cause confusion,
- disorientation, and shortness of breath.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- medications, especially to codeine or to any other narcotic analgesics (such
- as hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, and
- propoxyphene).
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had acute
- abdominal conditions, asthma, brain disease, colitis, epilepsy, gallstones or
- gallbladder disease, head injuries, heart disease, kidney disease, liver
- disease, lung disease, mental illness, emotional disorders, prostate disease,
- thyroid disease, or urethral stricture.
- * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
- activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
- potentially dangerous equipment.
- * Before having surgery or other medical or dental treatment, tell your
- doctor or dentist you are taking this drug.
- * Because this product contains codeine, it has the potential for abuse
- and must be used with caution. Usually, it should not be taken on a regular
- schedule for longer than ten days (unless your doctor directs you to do so).
- Tolerance develops quickly; do not increase the dosage or stop taking the drug
- abruptly unless you first consult your doctor. If you have been taking large
- amounts of this medication for long periods, you may experience a withdrawal
- reaction (muscle aches, diarrhea, gooseflesh, runny nose, nausea, vomiting,
- shivering, trembling, stomach cramps, sleep disorders, irritability, weakness,
- excessive yawning, or sweating) when you stop taking it. Your doctor may,
- therefore, want to reduce the dosage gradually.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. The effects of this
- medication during the early stages of pregnancy have not been thoroughly
- studied in humans. However, codeine, used regularly in large doses during the
- later stages of pregnancy, can result in addiction of the fetus, leading to
- withdrawal symptoms (irritability, excessive crying, tremors, fever, vomiting,
- diarrhea, sneezing, or excessive yawning) at birth. Also, tell your doctor if
- you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of this medication may pass
- into breast milk and cause excessive drowsiness in the nursing infant.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-