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codeine sulfate
generic
Black Box Warnings .
Appropriate Use
should only be prescribed by healthcare professionals knowledgeable about opioid use and how to mitigate associated risks; reserve opioid analgesics for patients w/ inadequate tx alternatives; proper dosing and titration essential to decr. resp. depression risk
Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse
opioid agonist Schedule II controlled substance w/ risk of addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death; assess opioid abuse or addiction risk prior to prescribing; regularly reassess all patients for misuse, abuse, and addiction
Respiratory Depression
serious, life-threatening, or fatal cases may occur even w/ recommended use, esp. during tx start or after dose incr; to decr. risk, initiate and titrate dose appropriately
Accidental Ingestion
accidental ingestion of even one dose, esp. by children, can result in fatal codeine overdose
Risks from Concomitant Use w/ Benzodiazepines, CNS Depressants
concomitant opioid use w/ benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, incl. alcohol, may result in profound sedation, resp. depression, coma, and death; avoid use of opioid cough medications in patients taking benzodiazepines, other CNS depressants, or alcohol; reserve concomitant use of opioid analgesics w/ benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants for patients w/ inadequate alternative tx options
Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
advise pregnant patients w/ extended opioid use of risk of potentially life-threatening neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome; ensure tx by neonatology experts available at delivery
Opioid Analgesic REMS
providers are strongly encouraged to complete risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS)-compliant education program, counsel patients and/or caregivers w/ each Rx on serious risks, safe use, and importance of reading medication guide
Ultra-Rapid Metabolism of Codeine and Other Respiratory Depression Risk in Children
resp. depression and death have occurred in children; most cases occurred in patients post-tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy and who were CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolizers; contraindicated in patients <12 yo and in patients <18 yo post-tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy; avoid use in patients 12-18 yo w/ risk factors that incr. sensitivity to resp. depressant effects of codeine
CYP450 Interactions
concomitant use or D/C of concomitant CYP450 3A4 inducers, 3A4 inhibitors, or 2D6 inhibitors are complex requiring careful consideration of the effects on codeine and its active metabolite, morphine
Adult Dosing .
Dosage forms: TAB: 15 mg, 30 mg, 60 mg
Special Note
- [prescribing info]
- Info: consider prescribing opioid overdose reversal agent (e.g., naloxone, nalmefene), especially if risk of opioid overdose or accidental ingestion
pain, mild-moderate
- [15-60 mg PO q4-6h prn]
- Max: 360 mg/24h; Info: use lowest effective dose, shortest effective tx duration; doses >60 mg rarely more effective or well-tolerated in opioid-naive patients; consider low start dose, titrate slowly in patients 65 yo or older; taper dose gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms if D/C tx in physically opioid-dependent patients; search 'opioid taper' for epocrates Opioid Tapering decision tool
cough (off-label)
- [15-30 mg PO q4-6h prn]
- Max: 120 mg/day; Info: use lowest effective dose, shortest effective tx duration; taper dose gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms if D/C tx in physically opioid-dependent patients; search 'opioid taper' for epocrates Opioid Tapering decision tool
renal dosing
- [see below]
- CrCl 10-50: decr. usual dose by 25%, titrate slowly; CrCl <10: avoid use
- HD/PD: avoid use
hepatic dosing
- [see below]
- hepatic impairment: decr. usual start dose or frequency, amount not defined; Info: titrate slowly
Peds Dosing .
Peds dosing is currently unavailable or not applicable for this drug.
Contraindications / Cautions .
- hypersensitivity to drug or ingredient
- hypersensitivity to morphine
- MAO inhibitor use w/in 14 days
- breastfeeding
- CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolizers
- patients <12 yo
- respiratory depression risk (patients 12-18 yo)
- post-tonsillectomy use (patients <18 yo)
- post-adenoidectomy use (patients <18 yo)
- CrCl <10
- respiratory depression, severe
- asthma, acute
- asthma, severe
- GI obstruction, known or suspected
- paralytic ileus
- coma
- consciousness, impaired
- circulatory shock
- abrupt withdrawal (physically opioid-dependent patients)
- caution: hypersensitivity to opioids
- caution: elderly patients
- caution: debilitated patients
- caution: CrCl 10-50
- caution: hepatic impairment
- caution: pulmonary impairment
- caution: sleep apnea (long-term use)
- caution: CNS depression
- caution: CNS depressant use, concurrent
- caution: alcohol use, concurrent
- caution: alcohol abuse history
- caution: drug abuse history
- caution: mental illness history
- caution: head injury
- caution: ICP incr.
- caution: seizure disorder
- caution: hypovolemia
- caution: GI motility disorder
- caution: pancreatitis, acute
- caution: biliary disease, acute
- caution: GU obstruction
Drug Interactions .
Overview
codeine
opioid
- CYP2D6 substrate
- CYP3A4 substrate
- antidiuretic hormone effects
- CNS depression
- decreases gastrointestinal motility
- hyponatremia
- hypotensive effects
- lowers seizure threshold
- opioid agonist
- potentiates neuromuscular blockade
- serotonergic effects
- urinary retention
- consider prescribing an opioid overdose reversal agent, especially w/ concomitant CNS depressant use
- add MAO inhibitor to Interaction Check if recent (14 days) use
Contraindicated
- isocarboxazid
- isoniazid
- linezolid
- methylene blue injection
- methylene blue oral
- naltrexone
- phenelzine
- potassium chloride
- potassium citrate
- procarbazine
- rasagiline
- safinamide
- samidorphan
- selegiline
- selegiline transdermal
- tranylcypromine
- yohimbe
Avoid/Use Alternative
- 5-HTP
- abiraterone acetate
- adagrasib
- aldesleukin
- alfentanil
- allopurinol
- almotriptan
- alprazolam
- amantadine
- amifampridine
- amiodarone
- amitriptyline
- amlodipine
- amoxapine
- amphetamine
- apalutamide
- apomorphine
- apraclonidine ophthalmic
- aprepitant
- aripiprazole bimonthly injection
- aripiprazole lauroxil
- aripiprazole monthly injection
- aripiprazole oral
- armodafinil
- artemether/lumefantrine
- asciminib
- asenapine
- atazanavir
- atorvastatin
- avacopan
- baclofen
- baclofen intrathecal
- belumosudil
- belzutifan
- berberine
- berotralstat
- bexarotene
- bicalutamide
- black cohosh
- bosentan
- brexpiprazole
- brigatinib
- brimonidine ophthalmic
- brimonidine topical
- brivaracetam
- bromocriptine
- brompheniramine
- buprenorphine
- bupropion
- buspirone
- butalbital
- butorphanol
- cannabidiol
- cannabis
- capivasertib
- carbamazepine
- carbinoxamine
- cariprazine
- carisoprodol
- celecoxib
- cenobamate
- ceritinib
- cetirizine
- chamomile, German
- chlophedianol
- chloramphenicol
- chlorcyclizine
- chlordiazepoxide
- chlorpheniramine
- chlorpromazine
- chlorzoxazone
- cilostazol
- cimetidine
- cinacalcet
- ciprofloxacin
- citalopram
- clarithromycin
- clemastine
- clobazam
- clofazimine
- clomipramine
- clonazepam
- clonidine
- clopidogrel
- clorazepate
- clotrimazole oropharyngeal
- clozapine
- cobicistat
- cocaine
- codeine
- conivaptan
- cranberry
- crizotinib
- cyclobenzaprine
- cyclosporine
- cyproheptadine
- dabrafenib
- dacomitinib
- danazol
- danshen
- dantrolene
- daridorexant
- darifenacin
- darolutamide
- darunavir
- desflurane
- desipramine
- desvenlafaxine
- deutetrabenazine
- dexamethasone
- dexbrompheniramine
- dexchlorpheniramine
- dexmedetomidine
- dexmedetomidine injection
- dexmethylphenidate
- dextroamphetamine
- dextromethorphan
- diazepam
- dichlorphenamide
- dicloxacillin
- difelikefalin
- difenoxin
- dihydrocodeine
- dihydroergotamine
- diltiazem
- dimenhydrinate
- diosmin
- diphenhydramine
- diphenoxylate
- domperidone
- doxepin
- doxepin topical
- doxylamine
- dronabinol
- dronedarone
- droperidol
- duloxetine
- duvelisib
- echinacea
- efavirenz
- elafibranor
- elagolix
- eletriptan
- eliglustat
- elinzanetant
- eluxadoline
- enasidenib
- encorafenib
- entacapone
- entrectinib
- enzalutamide
- ergotamine
- erythromycin
- escitalopram
- esketamine
- eslicarbazepine acetate
- estazolam
- eszopiclone
- ethanol
- ethanol (in some formulations)
- ethinyl estradiol (contraceptive)
- ethosuximide
- etomidate
- etravirine
- everolimus
- fedratinib
- felbamate
- felodipine
- fenfluramine
- fentanyl
- fesoterodine
- fexinidazole
- finerenone
- flibanserin
- fluconazole
- fluoxetine
- fluphenazine
- flurazepam
- fluvoxamine
- fosamprenavir
- fosaprepitant
- foslevodopa
- fosphenytoin
- fostamatinib
- frovatriptan
- gabapentin
- gabapentin enacarbil
- ganaxolone
- garlic
- gefitinib
- gepirone
- gepotidacin
- ginkgo
- ginseng, Asian
- givinostat
- givosiran
- glecaprevir
- glofitamab
- glycerol phenylbutyrate
- glycopyrrolate
- goldenseal
- granisetron
- grapefruit
- grazoprevir
- griseofulvin
- guanfacine
- haloperidol
- hydralazine
- hydrocodone
- hydromorphone
- hydroxychloroquine
- hydroxyzine
- hyoscyamine
- idelalisib
- ifosfamide
- iloperidone
- imatinib
- imipramine
- iohexol
- isavuconazonium
- isoflurane
- istradefylline
- itraconazole
- ivacaftor
- ivosidenib
- kava
- ketamine
- ketoconazole
- kratom
- labetalol
- lacosamide
- lamotrigine
- lapatinib
- larotrectinib
- lasmiditan
- lazertinib
- lefamulin
- lemborexant
- lenacapavir
- letermovir
- levetiracetam
- levocetirizine
- levodopa
- levoketoconazole
- levomilnacipran
- levorphanol
- linvoseltamab
- lisdexamfetamine
- lithium
- lofexidine
- lomitapide
- lonafarnib
- lopinavir/ritonavir
- lorazepam
- lorlatinib
- lovastatin
- loxapine
- lumacaftor/ivacaftor
- lumateperone
- lurasidone
- maribavir
- mavacamten
- mavorixafor
- meclizine
- melatonin
- meperidine
- meprobamate
- meropenem
- metaxalone
- methadone
- methamphetamine
- methocarbamol
- methohexital
- methsuximide
- methyldopa
- methylergonovine
- methylphenidate
- metoclopramide
- metyrapone
- metyrosine
- midazolam
- mifepristone
- milnacipran
- mirabegron
- mirtazapine
- mitapivat
- mitotane
- mobocertinib
- modafinil
- molindone
- morphine
- mosunetuzumab
- mycophenolate mofetil
- nafcillin
- nalbuphine
- naratriptan
- nefazodone
- nelarabine
- nelfinavir
- netupitant
- nevirapine
- nicardipine
- nilotinib
- nirogacestat
- nortriptyline
- odevixibat
- olanzapine
- oliceridine
- olutasidenib
- omaveloxolone
- ondansetron
- opicapone
- opium
- orphenadrine
- osilodrostat
- oxazepam
- oxcarbazepine
- oxybate
- oxybutynin
- oxycodone
- oxymorphone
- pacritinib
- palbociclib
- paliperidone
- palonosetron
- paroxetine
- passion flower
- pazopanib
- pentazocine
- pentobarbital
- peppermint
- perampanel
- perphenazine
- pexidartinib
- pheniramine
- phenobarbital
- phenytoin
- pibrentasvir
- pimozide
- pioglitazone
- pirtobrutinib
- posaconazole
- pramipexole
- pramlintide
- prasugrel
- prednisone
- pregabalin
- primidone
- prochlorperazine
- promethazine
- propafenone
- propofol
- propranolol
- protriptyline
- pyrilamine
- quazepam
- quercetin
- quetiapine
- quinidine (antiarrhythmic)
- quinidine (CYP2D6 inhibitor)
- ramelteon
- ranolazine
- remdesivir
- remifentanil
- remimazolam
- repotrectinib
- resveratrol
- revefenacin inhaled
- ribociclib
- rifabutin
- rifampin
- rifapentine
- rilzabrutinib
- risperidone
- ritlecitinib
- ritonavir
- rizatriptan
- rolapitant
- ropeginterferon alfa-2b
- ropinirole
- rotigotine transdermal
- rucaparib
- rufinamide
- SAMe
- sarilumab
- scopolamine
- selinexor
- selpercatinib
- sertraline
- sevabertinib
- sevoflurane
- solifenacin
- sotorasib
- spironolactone
- St. John's wort
- stiripentol
- sufentanil
- sumatriptan
- sunvozertinib
- suvorexant
- suzetrigine
- tapentadol
- tasimelteon
- tazemetostat
- tecovirimat
- telotristat ethyl
- temazepam
- terbinafine
- tetrabenazine
- thalidomide
- thioridazine
- thiotepa
- thiothixene
- tiagabine
- ticagrelor
- tipranavir
- tizanidine
- tocilizumab
- tolcapone
- tolterodine
- tolvaptan
- topiramate
- tovorafenib
- tramadol
- trazodone
- treosulfan
- triazolam
- trifluoperazine
- trihexyphenidyl
- trimethobenzamide
- trimipramine
- triprolidine
- trofinetide
- trospium
- tucatinib
- upadacitinib
- vaborbactam
- valbenazine
- valerian
- valproic acid
- vamorolone
- vemurafenib
- venlafaxine
- verapamil
- vigabatrin
- vilazodone
- viloxazine
- vinblastine
- vonoprazan
- vorasidenib
- voriconazole
- vortioxetine
- xanomeline
- zaleplon
- zanubrutinib
- ziconotide
- ziftomenib
- zileuton
- ziprasidone
- zolmitriptan
- zolpidem
- zonisamide
- zuranolone
Monitor/Modify Tx
- acebutolol
- alfuzosin
- aliskiren
- amifostine
- amiloride
- aprocitentan
- articaine
- atenolol
- atracurium
- avanafil
- azilsartan medoxomil
- benazepril
- betaxolol
- betaxolol ophthalmic
- bethanechol
- bexagliflozin
- bisoprolol
- bortezomib
- bumetanide
- bupivacaine
- bupivacaine liposomal
- cabergoline
- canagliflozin
- candesartan cilexetil
- captopril
- carteolol ophthalmic
- carvedilol
- chloroprocaine
- chlorothiazide
- chlorthalidone
- cisatracurium
- clevidipine
- clofarabine
- coenzyme Q-10
- dapagliflozin
- denileukin diftitox
- desmopressin
- dinutuximab
- dipyridamole
- doxazosin
- empagliflozin
- enalapril
- enalaprilat
- eplerenone
- epoprostenol
- ertugliflozin
- esmolol
- ethacrynic acid
- fenoldopam
- ferumoxytol
- flaxseed
- fosinopril
- furosemide
- gilteritinib
- hydrochlorothiazide
- iloprost
- iloprost inhaled
- indapamide
- iopamidol
- irbesartan
- iron sucrose
- isosorbide dinitrate
- isosorbide mononitrate
- isradipine
- landiolol
- levobunolol ophthalmic
- lidocaine
- lisinopril
- losartan
- lubiprostone
- magnesium sulfate
- mannitol
- maraviroc
- mepivacaine
- metolazone
- metoprolol
- milrinone
- minoxidil
- moexipril
- nadolol
- nattokinase
- naxitamab
- nebivolol
- niacin (vitamin B3)
- nifedipine
- nimodipine
- nisoldipine
- nitric oxide
- nitrite
- nitroglycerin
- nitroprusside
- obinutuzumab
- olmesartan medoxomil
- palopegteriparatide
- pamabrom
- pegvisomant
- pentamidine
- perindopril
- phenoxybenzamine
- phentolamine
- pindolol
- prazosin
- quinapril
- ramipril
- riociguat
- rocuronium
- ropivacaine
- sacubitril
- sildenafil
- silodosin
- sodium ferric gluconate complex
- sotagliflozin
- sotalol
- sparsentan
- succinylcholine
- tadalafil
- tagraxofusp
- tamsulosin
- taurine
- telmisartan
- terazosin
- timolol
- timolol ophthalmic
- torsemide
- trandolapril
- treprostinil
- triamterene
- valsartan
- vardenafil
- vasopressin
- vecuronium
- vosoritide
Caution Advised
- acetazolamide
- aclidinium inhaled
- alosetron
- atropine
- barium
- belladonna alkaloids
- benztropine
- botulinum toxin
- busulfan
- chlorambucil
- cisapride
- clidinium
- dicyclomine
- disopyramide
- erenumab
- flavoxate
- glycopyrrolate inhaled
- glycopyrronium topical
- homatropine
- ipratropium inhaled
- loperamide
- magnesium citrate
- methscopolamine
- mexiletine
- polyethylene glycol
- polyethylene glycol/electrolytes
- potassium acid phosphate
- potassium gluconate
- potassium phosphate
- pyridostigmine
- sodium picosulfate
- sofpironium topical
- sulfate bowel prep
- tiotropium inhaled
Adverse Reactions .
Serious Reactions
- respiratory depression
- central sleep apnea
- CNS depression
- hypotension, severe
- ICP incr.
- seizures
- bradycardia
- biliary spasm
- opioid-induced esophageal dysfunction
- hypersensitivity reaction
- anaphylaxis
- anaphylactoid reaction
- adrenal insufficiency
- opioid-induced androgen deficiency (long-term use)
- dependency
- abuse
- withdrawal symptoms if abrupt D/C (physically opioid-dependent patients)
- opioid-induced hyperalgesia
- allodynia
Common Reactions
- lightheadedness
- dizziness
- sedation
- nausea
- vomiting
- diaphoresis
- xerostomia
- anorexia
- constipation
- urinary hesitancy
- urinary retention
- weakness
- flushing
- pruritus
- urticaria
- headache
- rash
- visual disturbance
- edema
- disorientation
- euphoria
- dysphoria
- insomnia
- agitation
- biliary spasm
- palpitations
Safety/Monitoring .
Monitoring Parameters
Cr at baseline; signs/symptoms of resp. depression; signs/symptoms of hypotension incl. BP after tx start if hypotension risk, then after dose incr.
Look/Sound-Alike Drug Names
codeine confused with: Cardene; iodine; Lodine
Pregnancy/Lactation .
Pregnancy
Clinical Summary
weigh risk/benefit during pregnancy, esp. if prolonged use, or immediately before and during labor; risk of teratogenicity low, though risk of neonatal complications, incl. resp. depression and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, based on human data and drug's mechanism of action
Lactation
Clinical Summary
avoid use while breastfeeding; risk of infant CNS and resp. depression, esp. if breastfeeding patient is CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolizer, based on limited human data; no human data available to assess effects on milk production
Pharmacology .
Metabolism: for codeine: liver primarily; CYP450: 2D6 substrate; Info: active metabolite (morphine)
Excretion: for codeine: urine (5-15% unchanged); Half-life: 2.5-4h
Subclass: Antitussives ; Opioids
Mechanism of Action
for codeine: binds to various opioid receptors, producing analgesia, sedation and antitussive effects (opioid agonist)
Formulary .
No Formulary Selected
Manufacturer/Pricing .
Manufacturer: generic
DEA/FDA: Schedule II
Retail Price
Estimated prices only. For current pricing, visit GoodRx.
oral tablet:
- 15 mg (90 ea): $62.00
- 30 mg (60 ea): $36.00
- 60 mg (120 ea): $108.00
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