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Common uses
Codeine is used to relieve mild to moderate pain. It is also used, usually in combination with other medications, to reduce coughing. Combination products that contain codeine and promethazine should not be used in children younger than 16 years of age. Codeine will help relieve symptoms but will not treat the cause of symptoms or speed recovery. Codeine belongs to a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics and to a class of medications called antitussives. When codeine is used to treat pain, it works by changing the way the body senses pain. When codeine is used to reduce coughing, it works by decreasing the activity in the part of the brain that causes coughing.
Before using
Do not use codeine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a narcotic medicine (examples include codeine, methadone, morphine, Oxycontin, Darvocet, Percocet, Vicodin, Lortab, and many others). You should also not take codeine if you are having an asthma attack or if you have a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus. Codeine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Codeine should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Before using codeine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
• asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
• liver or kidney disease;
• underactive thyroid;
• curvature of the spine;
• a history of head injury or brain tumor;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• low blood pressure;
• gallbladder disease;
• Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders;
• enlarged prostate, urination problems;
• mental illness; or
• a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
FDA pregnancy category C. Codeine may be harmful to an unborn baby, and could cause breathing problems or addiction/withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Codeine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. The use of codeine by some nursing mothers may lead to life-threatening side effects in the baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.
Directions
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Never take codeine in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take codeine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach. Do not stop using codeine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.
Store codeine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Codeine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
Cautions
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medication. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with codeine. Check your food and medicine labels to be sure these products do not contain alcohol. This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Possible side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
• shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
• feeling light-headed, fainting;
• confusion, agitation, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• seizure (convulsions); or
• problems with urination.
Less serious codeine side effects include:
• feeling dizzy or drowsy;
• nausea, vomiting, constipation;
• sweating;
• headache;
• trouble sleeping (insomnia);
• loss of interest in sex;
• dry mouth;
• blurred vision; or
• mild skin rash.
Drug interactions
Codeine can impair thinking and physical abilities required for driving or operating machinery. Alcohol and other sedatives such as alprazolam (Xanax) can produce further brain impairment and even confusion when combined with codeine. Therefore, alcohol and other sedatives should be limited when taking codeine.
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Codeine
