ABSTRACT
This chapter describes trade name, classification, approved indications for psychological disorders, available dosage forms, storage, and compatibility, usual dosage and administration, relative contraindications, and clinically significant drug interactions of Codeine. The oral formulation of codeine phosphate is approximately one-tenth as potent as the oral formulation of morphine sulfate. The oral extended-release tablets contain two codeine salts, codeine monohydrate and codeine sulfate trihydrate. Codeine appears to elicit its analgesic action primarily by binding to the endorphin receptors in the Central Nervous System (CNS). Similar to other opiate analgesics, codeine produces other actions in addition to analgesia. Concurrent codeine pharmacotherapy with other opiate analgesics, sedative-hypnotics, or other drugs that produce CNS depression may result in additive CNS depression. It also is important to note that codeine is one of the most common opiates found in prescription and nonprescription cough products. Codeine pharmacotherapy has been commonly associated with constipation, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, sedation, sweating, and vomiting.
