What is Codeine Phosphate?
Codeine Phosphate has been prescribed for adults for relief of pain, relief of coughing and symptomatic relief of prolonged loose stools (diarrhoea) and for children over 12 years of age for the short-term relief of moderate pain that is not relieved by other painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen alone.
It contains codeine phosphate which belongs to a class of medicines called opioids, which are ‘pain relievers’.
This medicine has been prescribed to you and should not be given to anyone else.
Opioids can cause addiction and you may get withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it suddenly. Your prescriber should have explained how long you will be taking it for and when it is appropriate to stop, how to do this safely.
It can be used on its own or in combination with other painkillers such as paracetamol.
When not to take Codeine Phosphate?
Do not take Codeine Phosphate Tablets if you:
- are allergic to codeine phosphate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.
- have suffered a head injury or raised pressure in the skull (may cause painful eyes, changes in vision or headache behind the eyes)
- have liver failure
- have severe breathing problems or other chronic lung disease
- are having an asthma attack
- suffer with acute alcoholism
- have diarrhoea associated with either severe inflammation of the bowel or poisoning
- are at risk of blocked intestines
- are under 12 years old
- know that you metabolise very rapidly codeine into morphine
- are breastfeeding.
Do not use Codeine Phosphate Tablets for pain relief in children and adolescents (0-18 years of age) after removal of their tonsils or adenoids due to obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.
How should I use Codeine Phosphate?
Your prescriber should have discussed with you, how long the course of tablets will last. They will arrange a plan for stopping treatment. This will outline how to gradually reduce the dose and stop taking the medicine.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The recommended dose is:
For the relief of pain :
Adults and children over 12 years: 30-60 mg every four hours, when necessary to a maximum of 240 mg daily.
For the relief of coughing
Adults: 15-30 mg three or four times daily.
For the treatment of prolonged diarrhoea
Adults: 15-60 mg every four to six hours. Do not take more than 240 mg in 24 hours.
A lower dosage may be needed if you are an older person who may have liver or kidney problems.
The medicine should not be taken for more than 3 days. If the pain does not improve after 3 days, talk to your doctor for advice.
What may interact with Codeine Phosphate?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Codeine is known to interfere with some medicines. It is particularly important to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the following medicines:
This medicine may interact with the following medications:
- MAOIs (e.g. linezolid, moclobemide, selegiline etc) used to treat depression
- phenobarbitone (medicine used for control of fits)
- potassium iodide
- hypnoticsand alcohol
- other anti-diarrhoeal agents (e.g. loperamide, kaolin)
- anti-hypertensives (medicines used to control high blood pressure)
- cimetidine (to treat stomach ulcers)
- tricyclics antidepressants (eg amitriptyline)
- ciprofloxacin (antibacterial medicine)
- metoclopramide or domperidone (to prevent sickness)
- mexiletine or quinidine (to treat irregular heartbeats)
- antiviral medicines such as ritonavir
- medicines to treat allergies (antihistamines) that can cause drowsiness
- atropine (anticholinergic medicines)
- medicines which affect the nervous system such as chlorpromazine, diazepam, temazepam
- anaesthetics
- opioid antagonists (buprenorphine, naltrexone, naloxone).
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using Codeine Phosphate?
Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Do not stop taking except on your doctor’s advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take.
Wear a medical identification bracelet or chain if you are taking this medicine for seizures, and carry a card that describes your disease and details of your medicine and dosage times.
- are or have ever been addicted to opioids, alcohol, prescription medicines, or illegal drugs
- have previously suffered from withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, shaking or sweating, when you have stopped taking alcohol or drugs
- feel you need to take more of Codeine Phosphate Tablets to get the same level of pain relief, this may mean you are becoming tolerant to the effects of this medicine or are becoming addicted to it. Speak to your prescriber who will discuss your treatment and may change your dose or switch you to an alternative pain reliever
- are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or have been taking them within the last two weeks. MAOIs, such as phenelzine or isocarboxazid, are medicines used to treat depression
- have suffered from alcoholism, drug abuse or dependence or mental illness, irregular heartbeat or convulsions
- have recently undergone surgery of gastro-intestinal tract or urinary system.
- have been diagnosed as suffering from any of the following:
- low blood pressure or are in shock
- deficiency in the activity of the thyroid gland
- enlarged prostate
- acute abdominal conditions
- gallstones or gall bladder disease
- severe weakness of muscles
- have liver or kidney problems
- have asthma or breathing problems
- have problems with your adrenal glands (such as Addison’s disease) or high blood pressure caused by a tumour near a kidney (phaeochromocytoma)
Women who become pregnant while using this medicine for seizures may enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-888-233-2334. This registry collects information about the safety of antiepileptic drug use during pregnancy.
What side effects may I notice from receiving Codeine Phosphate?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions (itch, hives, skin rash, redness, increase sweating, flushed face, difficulty breathing)
- increased pressure in the skull (painful eyes, changes in vision or headache behind the eyes)
- fits (convulsions)
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, changes in mood, nightmares, mental depression
- restlessness/excitement
- headache
- hallucinations (seeing, feeling or hearing things that are not there)
- feeling sick (nausea), constipation, vomiting, dry mouth
- abdominal pain (may be caused by spasm of the bile ducts)
- low body temperature
- blurred or double vision, extremely small pupils
- palpitations, low blood pressure, low blood pressure on standing, slow or fast heart beat
- malaise (general discomfort)
- pain and difficulty in passing water and a less frequent need to do so
- uncontrolled muscle movements and rigidity
- decrease in sex drive.
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How to store of Codeine Phosphate?
Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine can be abused. Keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and against the law.
This medicine may cause accidental overdose and death if it taken by other adults, children, or pets. Mix any unused medicine with a substance like cat litter or coffee grounds. Then throw the medicine away in a sealed container like a sealed bag or a coffee can with a lid. Do not use the medicine after the expiration date.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F).
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
