What is Codeine?

Codeine is an opiate pain medication derived from morphine. It has been used in medicine for over 200 years since being discovered in 1832 by the French chemist Pierre Jean Robiquet.

Codeine works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, blocking pain signals. It is most commonly used to treat mild to moderately severe pain and to reduce coughing. Common medical uses include postoperative pain management, dental pain, injuries, headaches, arthritis, back pain, coughs, and diarrhea.

Codeine is an effective analgesic that is less potent than morphine but more potent than over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. It is classified as a narcotic, and while useful medically, codeine does carry a risk of addiction. BuyAnxietyPills has the best offers to buy codeine online with overnight shipping. It is available by prescription as a single-ingredient medication or in combination with other analgesics like acetaminophen. Brand names include Tylenol with Codeine, Emprin with Codeine, and Panlor DC.

How Codeine Works

Codeine is an opioid drug that works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This blocks pain signals from being sent to the brain and reduces the perception of pain.

Codeine mainly acts on the mu-opioid receptor as an agonist. This means it mimics the effects of endogenous opioid chemicals like endorphins that the body naturally produces to regulate pain.

When codeine binds to the mu-opioid receptor, it activates the receptor and triggers a cellular response. This inhibits the release of neurotransmitters involved in sending pain signals to the brain. As a result, codeine provides analgesic pain relief effects.

In addition to reducing pain, codeine also suppresses coughing. This is because codeine impacts opioid receptors in the medulla oblongata of the brain, which controls coughing reflexes. By binding to the receptors, codeine reduces activity in the cough center and the urge to cough.

Forms and Doses

Codeine is available in various forms and doses for treating different conditions:

Tablets – Codeine tablets contain codeine phosphate and often include combinations with acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen at doses of 8 mg, 15 mg, 30 mg, or 60 mg of codeine per tablet. Tablets can provide quick pain relief.

Liquids – Codeine syrups and solutions contain 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg of codeine per 5 mL. Liquids allow for convenient and customizable dosing, especially for children. Codeine is commonly combined with promethazine in cough syrups.

Injectables – Injectable codeine provides rapid-acting, short-term analgesia often used before surgeries and for acute injuries. Typical doses are 10-60 mg injected into the muscle or under the skin.

Time-release formulations – Codeine extended-release tablets have special coatings and delivery mechanisms to provide longer-lasting pain relief for up to 12 hours compared to immediate-release tablets which act for 4-6 hours. Doses range from 15 mg to 90 mg.

For managing pain, typical adult doses are 15-60 mg every 4 hours as needed. For coughs, typical doses are 10-20 mg every 4-6 hours. Time-release and high-dose codeine should only be used under medical supervision due to risks.

Side Effects

Codeine use can lead to several common side effects, including:

Constipation – Opioids like codeine can slow down digestion and bowel movements, leading to constipation. This is a very common effect. Staying hydrated, eating fiber, and using over-the-counter laxatives can help manage constipation from codeine.

Nausea – Some people experience nausea or upset stomach when taking codeine, especially at higher doses. Anti-nausea medication can also be used if needed. The nausea tends to improve over time as the body adjusts to the codeine.

Drowsiness – Codeine is a central nervous system depressant, which causes relaxation and sleepiness. This may impair driving and the ability to operate machinery. The drowsiness often decreases over time as the body gets used to codeine, but can persist, especially at higher doses.

Risk of slowed breathing at high doses – A major risk with opioids like codeine is slowed or stopped breathing, especially when taken at high doses. This occurs because codeine impacts the brain’s control of breathing. Signs of slowed breathing include shallow, infrequent breaths and blue-tinged lips and nails.

Warnings and Precautions

Codeine use carries several warnings and precautions that users should know before taking it.

Not recommended for children – Codeine should not be given to children under 12 years old. Children and teens are at higher risk of dangerous side effects. Codeine changes into morphine in the body, and children’s bodies break it down differently than adults. This can lead to accidental overdose.

Drug interactions – Codeine can interact with many other medications and substances. These interactions can increase side effects or cause dangerous reactions. People taking codeine should inform their doctor and pharmacist about any other drugs, supplements, or herbs they are taking. Codeine should not be mixed with alcohol, sedatives, or certain antidepressants because it can dangerously depress breathing.

Risk of dependence and addiction – With regular use over an extended time, codeine can be habit-forming and lead to dependence and addiction. People with a history of substance abuse issues have an increased risk. Quitting codeine after regular use can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Codeine use should be carefully monitored and limited to short treatment periods whenever possible. The risks and benefits should be evaluated closely.