codeine

[doubledoc]

most people know paracetamol but have never even heard of codeine.
why is this and what does codeine do compared to paracetamol ?
doubledoc

[Elaine]

Doubledoc

Codeine is a drug in the family known as opiates. This group also includes drugs like morphine. Codeine is not as strong as morphine, but is a good effective painkiller.

Codeine is often combined with paracetamol. You can buy co-codamol over the counter which has 8mg codeine and 500mg paracetamol in each tablet. If you are still suffering GP's often prescribe codeine 30mg/paracetamol 500mg in each tablet/capsule. These are obviously a lot stronger then the OTC co-codamol, and can cause some side effects. The common side effects of codeine are constipation and feeling groggy - alcohol makes this worst!

[Pari]

But Codeine has good effects in caugh remedies. the usual dose of 20 mg/ six hours it works good suppressing caugh.
It's one of anti-tussives, isn'tit?

[admin]

Yes Pari you are right, codeine is also a good cough suppressant.

I thought the post thread was for information about codeine as a pain killer, and you added a good point.

[mr_colt]

Though one should be aware that codeine is a "Pro-drug" meaning that it has no ability to releive pain itself.

Codeine's scientific name is methylmorphine, an enzyme in the liver called "Sparteine oxygenase" strips off the methyl group in about 10% of the amount taken: Thus turning it into morphine which is the actual analgesic. The remaining 90% will supress cough and treat diarrhoea/constipate but will not do anything for pain.

So if you take say 60mg of codeine phosphate; you are normally getting 6mg of morphine.

Up to approx 8% of the caucasian populace in the USA do not produce much of this enzyme or in some cases none at all. Though European genetics are slightly different, a significant number of people have it. It appears to be quite hereditary in studies and anecdotal evidence; both my Mother and I have it. I get little effect from it for pain relief.

I am always concerned as to the implications of GP's prescribing co-codamol in the long term as the paracetamol isn't the best for your liver. Its has an accidental overdose risk in the sense that every tablet can have 500mg of paracetamol in. Pure codeine tablets are probably safer but again its really a short term drug.

Amazing a lot of GP's are ignorant of codeine's morphine transformation,
I personally blame the instutionalised Opiophobia. They will give you codeine by the shovel load; not realising they are actually giving morphine. Which makes their opiophobia a bit hypocritical.

mr_colt.

[Linnear]

I query your paracetamol statements.

You say that co-codamol poses a OD risk because every tablet could contain 500mg of Paracetamol.

I would have said that every tablet SHOULD contain 500mg paracetamol and if the dose is kept to 2 at a time and no more than 8 in a day, where's the OD risk?

[johnep]

Is it true that codeine only on script in USA. Probably because they have no 'P' class. Over there a medicine is available everywhere or on prescription.
I saw 500 packs of paracetamol on offer in Sams and Walmart.
johnep

[mr_colt]

Sorry I should have been more specific; I meant to say there is a degree of risk especially associated with elderly patients who may have problems with memory. It's quite easy for a number of people to double-dose and not realise it. Obviously one can do the same with pure codeine but with a normal maximum dose of 360mg per day its more difficult.

[N.T]

Originally Posted by Pari

But Codeine has good effects in caugh remedies. the usual dose of 20 mg/ six hours it works good suppressing caugh.
It's one of anti-tussives, isn'tit?

Well...it's actaully not a very good cough suppressant. Only suppresses cough for about 5 seconds after each dose.

All cough remedies are crap, dunno why people bother wasting money on them...oh yes i do, it's called marketing!

[admin]

Originally Posted by N.T

Well...it's actaully not a very good cough suppressant. Only suppresses cough for about 5 seconds after each dose.

All cough remedies are crap, dunno why people bother wasting money on them...oh yes i do, it's called marketing!

I thin it's a good cough suppressant, it always works for me if I get a dry cough from a cold.