Codeine Phosphate

Question 1

Drug Class

Answer 1

Opioid

Question 2

Active

Answer 2

Codeine

Question 3

Indications

Answer 3

• Acute or chronic pain
• Breakthrough pain
• Cough suppression
• Diarrhoea

Question 4

Dose Range

Answer 4

Pain, 30 – 60mg q4h

Cough, 15 – 30mg 3-4 times/day

Diarrhoea, 60mg tds

Question 5

SE’s

Answer 5

• nausea/vomiting
• sedation
• orthostatic hypotension, dizziness
• constipation
• urinary retention
• miosis
• respiratory depression
• confusion, delirium
• itch, urticaria

Question 6

Counselling

Answer 6

• This medication may make you feel drowsy and may increase the effects of alcohol. If you are affected, do not drive or operate machinery. If you are very sleepy or have trouble staying awake, stop taking the medication and tell your doctor immediately.
• Be careful when you stand up as this medicine might make you feel dizzy if you stand up too quickly.

Chronic use: look after your teeth and mouth, and get dental checks regularly, as opioids may make your mouth dry which increases risk of dental caries.

Question 7

Monitoring

Answer 7

• Pain
• SE; Respiratory depression (assessed by the degree if sedation), dependence, constipation
• allergies to codeine