Codeine Drug: Indication, Dosage, Precaution, Side Effect , Storage, Category Type and corresponding Brands - www.genericdrugscan.com

Codeine

pronunciation

pronounced as (koe' deen)

Why is this medication prescribed?

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 brain and nervous system respond to pain. When codeine is used to reduce coughing, it works by decreasing the activity in the part of the brain that causes coughing.

Codeine is also available in combination with acetaminophen (Capital and Codeine, Tylenol with Codeine); aspirin; and carisoprodol; and as an ingredient in many cough and cold medications. This monograph only includes information about the use of codeine. If you are taking a codeine combination product, be sure to read information about all the ingredients in the product you are taking and ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?

Codeine (alone or in combination with other medications) comes as a tablet, a capsule, and a solution (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take codeine exactly as directed.

Codeine can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or take it for a longer period of time than prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking codeine without talking to your doctor. Your doctor may decrease your dose gradually. If you suddenly stop taking codeine, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, widened pupils (black circles in the center of the eyes), teary eyes, irritability, anxiety, runny nose, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, yawning, sweating, fast breathing, fast heartbeat, chills, hair on your arms standing on end, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, muscle aches, or backache.

If you are giving codeine to a child, give the medication only as needed. Do not give codeine on a regular (around-the-clock) schedule and do not give more than six doses in 24 hours.

Shake the solution well before each use to mix the medication evenly. Do not use a household spoon to measure your dose. Use the measuring cup or spoon that came with the medication or use a spoon that is made especially for measuring medication.

What are the precautions to be followed?

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to codeine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in the codeine product you plan to take. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: antidepressants; medications for cough, cold, or allergies; medications for anxiety, mental illness, nausea, or seizures; monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate); sedatives; sleeping pills; and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have slowed breathing, or have or have ever had asthma or paralytic ileus (condition in which digested food does not move through the intestines). Your doctor may tell you not to take codeine.
• tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol and if you have had recent abdominal or urinary tract surgery. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a head injury; a brain tumor; any condition causing increased pressure in your brain; seizures; mental illness; lung disease such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, a group of diseases that cause gradual loss of lung function),obstructive sleep apnea, or other breathing problems; prostatic hypertrophy (enlargement of a male reproductive gland); urinary problems; low blood pressure; Addison's disease (condition in which the body does not make enough of certain natural substances); allergies; or thyroid, pancreatic, intestinal, gallbladder, liver, or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking codeine, call your doctor.
• tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. Some women who take codeine may have increased amounts of the medication in their breast milk, which can cause serious or life-threatening side effects in their breast-fed babies. Call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical help if you become very sleepy and have difficulty caring for your baby. You should also call your baby's doctor or get emergency help if your baby is sleepier than usual, has trouble breast-feeding or breathing, or becomes limp. If you breast-feed during your treatment and stop breast-feeding or stop taking codeine, your baby might experience withdrawal symptoms including irritability, being more active than usual, vomiting, problems sleeping, weight loss, high-pitched cry, fever, shaking, or diarrhea or more stools than usual. Call your baby's doctor if your baby has any of these symptoms.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking codeine.
• you should know that this medication may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. If you are giving codeine to a child, watch the child to be sure he or she does not get hurt while riding a bike or participating in other activities that could be dangerous.
• you should know that drinking alcohol during your treatment may increase the risk that you will experience serious or life-threatening side effects. Talk to your doctor about the risks of drinking alcohol during your treatment.
• you should know that codeine may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. This is more common when you first start taking codeine. To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.
• you should know that codeine may cause constipation. Talk to your doctor about changing your diet and using other medications to treat or prevent constipation.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

• dizziness
• lightheadedness
• headache
• drowsiness
• mood changes
• nausea
• vomiting
• constipation
• stomach pain
• difficulty urinating

• sleepiness
• confusion
• noisy or shallow breathing
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• rash
• itching
• hives
• changes in vision
• seizures

Codeine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.

How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed. at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Keep it in a safe place where no one else can take it accidentally or on purpose. Be especially careful to keep codeine out of reach of children. If a child accidentally takes codeine, get emergency medical help right away. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

Drug Category/Class

• Cough and Cold Preparations
• Opium Alkaloids and Derivatives
• Natural Opium Alkaloids
• Respiratory System
• Analgesics
• Analgesics, Opioid
• Narcotics
• Antitussive Agents
• Opioids
• CYP2D6 Inducers
• CYP2D6 Inducers (strong)
• CYP3A4 Inhibitors
• Nervous System
• Natural opium alkaloids
• Opium alkaloids and derivatives

Prescribed	For treatment and management of pain (systemic). It is also used as an antidiarrheal and as a cough suppressant.
Weight :	299.3642
Structure	Codeine
Formula	C18H21NO3

Codeine has 4 Brands listed

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