Codeine Phosphate
Codeine is an opioid analgesic. It is much less potent as an analgesic than morphine and has relatively mild sedative effects. Codeine or its salts, especially the phosphate, are given orally in the form of linctus for the relief of cough, and as tablets for the relief of mild to moderate pain, often with a non-opioid analgesic such as paracetamol.
Pronunciation
Codeine phosphate 30mg
| Generic Name 藥名 | HA Code 藥物代碼 | Classification藥物分類 |
|---|---|---|
| Codeine phosphate 30 mg tablet | COED01 | DD |
Mechanism of Action
Equivalent doses of opioid analgesics
| Analgesic/Route | Dose |
|---|---|
| Codeine: PO | 100 mg |
| Diamorphine: IM, IV, SC | 3 mg |
| Dihydrocodeine: PO | 100 mg |
| Morphine: PO | 10 mg |
| Morphine: IM, IV, SC | 5 mg |
| Oxycodone: PO | 6.6 mg |
| Tramadol: PO | 100 mg |
Route of Adminstration
IV
PO (tablet form)
PO (suspension)
Dosage
Mild to moderate pain:
Oral: 30-60 mg every 4 hours, max 240 mg/day.
For non-productive cough:
Oral: 15 to 50mg three or four times daily.
Doses in children
The use of codeine is restricted to the short-term treatment of acute, moderate pain in children over 12 years of age who do not respond to other analgesics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
The recommended oral dose:
- 30 to 60 mg (0.5 to 1 mg/kg) of codeine phosphate given every 6 hours when necessary, max of 240 mg daily.
- The duration of treatment should not exceed 3 days.
Side Effects
As for Opioid Analgesic in general
The commonest adverse effects are nausea, vomiting, constipation, drowsiness and confusion.
Large doses of opioids produce respiratory depression and hypotension, with circulatory failure and deepening coma. Death may occur from respiratory failure.
Treatment of Adverse Effects
1. Constipation can be treated with laxatives such as senna tables and lactulose. 2. Nausea and vomiting can be alleviated by metoclopramide. 3. Intensive supportive therapy may be required to correct respiratory failure and shock. Naloxone is used for rapid reversal of the severe respiratory depression and coma.
Euphoria, nausea and vomiting, respiratory depression, constipation and cough suppression,
