Codeine

What is Codeine?

Codeine phosphate is used to relieve mild to moderate pain, coughing and diarrhoea. It is an opioidanalgesic, sometimes known as a painkiller. It is used to relieve pain by mimicking the action of endorphins which are pain-reducing chemicals that occur naturally in the body. Codeine is an opioid analgesic (pain reliever) drug used to treat many causes of mild to moderate pain. Codeine phosphate is available in generic form.

The full name, and the term most commonly searched for when having been prescribed this drug, is Codeine Phosphate. It sometimes is prescribed with various combinations of other drugs, including paracetemol (when combined becomes co codamol), Tylenol, Aspirin and Ibuprofen. It is known to develop dependence, and a sudden stop of using this medication can result in withdrawal symptoms. Consult with your physician to reduce and lessen the risk this will happen.

Codeine is a painkiller. It's used to treat pain, for example after an operation or an injury. It's also used when common painkillers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol, haven't worked.

How does Codeine work?

Codeine is a painkiller with an active ingredient referred to as codeine phosphate hemihydrate.

Codeine belongs to a group of medications known as analgesics, which are used to inhibit pain. This drug is an opioid analgesic, and it works by blocking pain signals and your eventual response to pain.

Codeine is used in treating mild to moderate kinds of pain.

What are the benefits of Codeine?

Pain can be debilitating. It delays work, disrupts regular life, prevents one from studying, and hinders one from performing whatever a regular person would do in his or her productive state. Codeine is beneficial for patients suffering from pain where regular painkillers as aspirins, analgesics, and ibuprofens are not working.

How do I use Codeine?

It is crucial that you take codeine as prescribed by your medical doctor. Take Codeine with, or after a meal so you will not feel sick.

Take Codeine any time of the day however, try to take it at the same time each day and space your dose accordingly.

For adult patients, take 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours. Take the tablet as a whole with a glass full of water. Take Codeine continuously for as long as advised by your physician. If any of your symptoms persists, consult with your doctor.

Adult patients who want to treat pain can take 1-2 30 mg Codeine tablets every 4 hours. Children or pediatric patients aged 12-18 years old can take 1-2 30 mg tablets or one or two 5ml of liquid Codeine every six hours. Elderly patients on the other hand or those with liver and kidney problems can take 15 mg of Codeine tablet every four hours.

Codeine dosage

Codeine may come in tablet, liquid, cough syrup, and in an injection form. The tablets have 60 mg, 30 mg, and 15 mg of Codeine. The liquid version has 25 mg of Codeine per 5 ml. The cough syrup form has 15 mg of Codeine per 5 ml of spoonful. The injection form is administered only in hospitals.

If you are taking the Codeine in liquid form, make sure you have a syringe or measuring spoon to help you obtain the right amount. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for one if you do not have it.

The regular dose for Codeine is 15 mg to 60 mg. Take Codeine up to four times a day.

Patients with diarrhoea who are adults can take 1-2 30 mg Codeine tablets or a 1-2 5 ml spoon of liquid for every four hours. Pediatric patients aged 12-18 years old can take 1-2 30 mg tablets or one or two 5ml of liquid Codeine every six hours. Elderly patients on the other hand or those with liver and kidney problems can take 15 mg of Codeine tablet every four hours.

For the treatment of cough, adult and pediatric patients can take 1-2 5 ml of cough syrup with a window of 4-6 hours for each dose.

Side effects and precautions

Take Codeine only as prescribed by your doctor, taking too much of this drug can be dangerous and pose serious health hazards.

If you have overdosed with codeine you will feel dizzy, sick, very tired, and sleepy. Patients often find themselves unable to breathe. In many cases, one can be unconscious and may require emergency medical treatment in a hospital.

Codeine is not ideal for some people due to their age, medical condition, and response to treatment. Inform your doctor if you have:

• Allergies to codeine
• Lung problems
• Kidney problems
• Head injury
• Adrenal gland problems
• Illness which causes seizures
• Addiction to alcohol
• Underactive thyroid gland
• Gallstones
• Enlarged prostate
• Low blood pressure
• Myasthenia gravis  or muscle weakness
• Symptoms of ulcerative

Inform your medical doctor if you notice any of the following:

• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Feeling faint
• Excitability
• Skin rashes
• Unable to sleep
• Stomach cramps
• Dry mouth
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Unusual dreams
• Feeling sick

Some Codeine side effects are highly serious. Talk to your doctor immediately if you notice any of these side effects:

• Breathing problems
• Heartbeat irregularities
• Blurred or double vision
• Itchy, raised or red skin rash
• Swelling of face, lips, tongue, and throat
• Hives
• Rashes
• Muscle stiffness
• Difficulty urinating

Codeine should be stopped where you experience difficulty breathing, or where you have bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma.

Never administer codeine to children under 18 years of age and those who have had their tonsils or adenoids remove due to obstructive sleep apnea.

Codeine is not advised on pregnant women. Consult with your doctor before taking this medicine or if you are trying to be pregnant, already pregnant, or breast feeding.

Codeine as a Pain Reliever

Codeine is used to relieve physical suffering, coughing and diarrhoea. It is an opioid analgesic, sometimes known as a painkiller. It is used to reduce pain by mimicking the action of endorphins which are pain-reducing chemicals that occur naturally in the body.

It is also used to relieve mild to moderate muscle discomfort, coughing and diarrhoea. It is an opioidanalgesic, sometimes known as a painkiller. It functions by mimicking the action of endorphins which are pain-reducing chemicals that occur naturally in the body. It is an opioid analgesic (discomfort reliever) drug used to treat many causes of mild to moderate pain. It can also be used to treat diarrhoea or irritable bowel syndrome. There is evidence it is useful in treating discomfort from cancer but comes with the extra risk of side effects.

Opioids are habit-forming (addictive). Mental and physical dependence can occur but are unlikely when used for short-term relief. Using during pregnancy can cause opioid withdrawal syndrome in the newborn, which may be life-threatening if not treated. You will need a prescription to buy this medication.

Where can I buy Codeine?

Codeine can be bought safely and securely here at UK Meds. You will need to have an online consultation with a doctor before a supply can be made. This is to ensure your safety by asking various questions to determine if this is the best-suited medication for you.

More Information

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• Can you overdose on codeine?
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• Is Codeine an Opiate?