codeine

What is the most important information I should know about codeine?

What is codeine?

Codeine is an opioid medication used to treat mild to moderately severe pain.

Codeine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking codeine?

• severe asthma or breathing problems;
• a blockage in your stomach or intestines; or
• frequent asthma attacks or hyperventilation.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease;
• breathing problems, sleep apnea;
• abnormal curvature of the spine that affects breathing;
• a head injury or brain tumor;
• low blood pressure;
• blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);
• problems with your gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid;
• Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorder;
• enlarged prostate, urination problems; or
• mental illness, drug or alcohol addiction.

How should I take codeine?

Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Never use codeine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to take more of this medicine.

Do not stop using codeine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since codeine is used for pain, you are not likely to miss a dose. Skip any missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking codeine?

What are the possible side effects of codeine?

Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

• noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing, breathing that stops during sleep;
• a slow heart rate or weak pulse;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• feelings of extreme happiness or sadness;
• seizure (convulsions);
• problems with urination; or
• low cortisol levels --nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults and those who are overweight, malnourished, or debilitated.

Long-term use of opioid medication may affect fertility (ability to have children) in men or women. It is not known whether opioid effects on fertility are permanent.

Common side effects include:

• feeling dizzy or drowsy;
• constipation; or
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect codeine?

You may have breathing problems or withdrawal symptoms if you start or stop taking certain other medicines. Tell your doctor if you also use an antibiotic, antifungal medication, heart or blood pressure medication, seizure medication, or medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C.

• cold or allergy medicines, bronchodilator asthma/COPD medication, or a diuretic ("water pill");
• medicines for motion sickness, irritable bowel syndrome, or overactive bladder;
• other narcotic medications --opioid pain medicine or prescription cough medicine;
• a sedative like Valium --diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam, Xanax, Klonopin, Versed, and others;
• drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing --a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, medicine to treat mood disorders or mental illness; or
• drugs that affect serotonin levels in your body --a stimulant, or medicine for depression, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or nausea and vomiting.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect codeine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about codeine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 14.03. Revision date: 10/17/2019.