CODEINE Uses, Side Effects, and More

 CODEINE

BRAND NAME:- CODINE 15mg tab, 15mg/5ml linctus. 

CODEINE is an opiate and prodrug of morphine mainly used to treat pain, coughing, and diarrhea. It is also commonly used as a recreational drug. It is found naturally in the sap of the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum. It is typically used to treat mild to moderate degrees of pain. 

Pharmacodyanimcs:- 

General effects

Codeine is a weak narcotic pain reliever and cough suppressant that is similar to morphine and hydrocodone. A small amount of ingested codeine is converted to morphine in the body. Codeine increases tolerance to pain, reducing existing discomfort. In addition to decreasing pain, codeine also causes sedation, drowsiness, and respiratory depression . 

Antitussive activity

This drug has shown antitussive activity in clinical trials 6 and has been effective in cough secondary to tuberculosis and insomnia due to coughing . Codeine suppresses the cough reflex through a direct effect on the cough center in the medulla . 

Effects on intestinal motility

Codeine may reduce intestinal motility through both a local and possibly central mechanism of action . This may possibly lead to constipation . The chronic use of opioids, including codeine sulfate, may lead to obstructive bowel disease, particularly in patients with underlying disorders of intestinal motility Label.

Effects on the central nervous system

Codeine phosphate is an opioid analgesic with uses similar to those of morphine, but is much less potent as an analgesic. Its primary site of action is at the mu opioid receptors distributed throughout the central nervous system. The sedative activities of codeine are less potent than those of morphine . Codeine may cause respiratory system depression by the activation of μ-opioid receptors at specific site of the central nervous system. 

Effects on blood pressure

This drug poses an increased risk of compromised ability to maintain blood pressure due to peripheral vasodilation and other mechanisms Label.

Effects on chronic cancer pain and other types of pain

Codeine is an opioid analgesic with similar indications to those of morphine, however, is much less potent in its pain alleviating properties. Its primary action takes place at the mu opioid receptors, which are distributed throughout the central nervous system. The average duration of action is about 4 hours 13.

Regular dosing of opioid analgesics such as codeine in patients with severe cancer pain has been well documented to improve symptoms

Mechanism of ACTION:-

Codeine is a selective agonist for the mu opioid receptor, but with a much weaker affinity to this receptor than morphine, a more potent opioid drug. Codeine binds to mu-opioid receptors, which are involved in the transmission of pain throughout the body and central nervous system Label,  The analgesic properties of codeine are thought to arise from its conversion to Morphine, although the exact mechanism of analgesic action is unknown at this time Label. 

 USED:- 

used to treat pain, coughing, and diarrhea. It is also commonly used as a recreational drug.  It is typically used to treat mild to moderate degrees of pain. 

SIDE EFFECTS:- 

use of codeine include drowsiness and constipation. Less common are itching, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, miosis, orthostatic hypotension, urinary retention, euphoria, and dysphoria. Rare adverse effects include anaphylaxis, seizure, acute pancreatitis, and respiratory depression. 

DOSE:- 10-30mg ; children 2-6years 2.5-5mg , 6-12years 5-10mg, frequently used as syrup codeine phos.  4-8ml.