Codeine is used to treat moderate pain which can’t be relieved by other pain medications such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.
This medicine may also be used to treat diarrhoea and dry or painful cough.
Take Codeine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
This medicine is available as tablet and oral solution.
If you are given the tablet, swallow it whole. Do not divide, chew or crush the tablet.
If you are given the oral solution, use the calibrated syringe or measuring cup provided to measure your prescribed dose. Do not use a household teaspoon or tablespoon to measure your dose.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- lung disease e.g. difficulty breathing, asthma
- liver failure
- acute alcoholism (alcohol poisoning resulting from excessive consumption of alcohol)
- head injury
- rise in pressure around your brain
- stomach disease e.g. bowel obstruction
- diarrhoea caused by inflammation of the bowel or poisoning
as this medicine may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
This medicine is not intended for use in children below 12 years of age or in patients less than 18 years of age who have undergone surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids (mass of tissue located in the back of the nose). Cough and cold medicines containing Codeine should not be used in children below 18 years of age.
Do not take this medicine if you are a CYP2D6 ultrarapid metaboliser, meaning you metabolise codeine very rapidly.
Do not take this medicine if you are currently taking or have taken a medicine to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- history of drug abuse or alcoholism
- low blood pressure
- thyroid disorder
- adrenal glands disorder
- enlarged prostate, bladder problems
- epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- biliary tract (liver, gallbladder, bile ducts) disorder
- myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder)
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to children, elderly or debilitated (weak and feeble) patient.
Some individuals, especially children and breastfeeding mothers, may experience enhanced effects of Codeine. Although not routinely done, your doctor may advise you to take genetic testing to check if this medicine is best suited for you. If you know you have this gene type, inform your doctor.
Codeine may cause drowsiness and visual disturbances. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
You may also feel dizzy when getting up from a sitting or lying down position, especially if you are taking this medicine for the very first time. It will help if you get up slowly from a sitting or lying down position.
Other side effects include any of the following: nausea, vomiting, headache, itch, dry mouth, sweating, difficulty urinating and constipation.
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take this medicine if you are currently taking or have taken a medicine to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for anxiety or difficulty sleeping e.g. diazepam, temazepam
- medicines for depression e.g. amitriptyline, doxepin
- medicines for cold and allergies e.g. diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine
- medicines for abnormal heart rhythm e.g. mexiletine, quinidine
- stomach medicines e.g. domperidone, metoclopramide, cimetidine
- medicine of narcolepsy (excessive daytime sleepiness) e.g. sodium oxybate
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Codeine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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