Codeine

What is Codeine?

Codeine is a painkiller. It is used in treating pain, coughing, and diarrhea. It can be used to treat pain from operations or injury. It can be used for treating long-duration pain when other painkillers (such as aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol haven't worked. It is a prescription-only medication. It contains opioids that can be addictive.

How does Codeine work?

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 would a Doctor prescribe Codeine for?

Codeine is a powerful pain medication that has several uses. Following are various ailments for which codeine may be prescribed.

Cough Suppressant

Codeine is a cough suppressant (antitussive) that reacts with the brain in a way that reduces the urge to cough. It can be prescribed for "dry cough", or an otherwise unproductive cough that does not produce phlegm. Codeine is widely regarded as the "gold standard" in cough suppressants.

Control of Diarrhoea

Codeine can be prescribed for treating diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is best described as urgent stools that are passed watery and too often. Codeine is potentially addictive, making it unsuitable for chronic diarrhoea. Its side effects make it a second-hand choice after loperamide in the treatment of diarrhoea.

Pain Relief

The primary reason Codeine is prescribed is to relieve pain. Codeine works to change how the brain and nervous system respond to pain. The combination of codeine with other medicines, such as paracetamol or acetaminophen may produce better pain relief. Codeine and paracetamol are combined to produce co-codamol.

How to 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. 

More Information

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• Can you overdose on codeine?
• Can you take Naproxen with Codeine?
• Is Codeine an Opiate?
• Is Dihydrocodeine stronger than Co-Codamol?
• What does Codeine do?
• Can you take Ibuprofen with Dihydrocodeine?
• Is Remedine Forte the same as Codeine?
• What is Solpadol?