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In this Article

• What is codeine ?
• What are the possible side effects of codeine ?
• What is the most important information I should know about codeine ?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking codeine ?
• How should I take codeine ?
• What happens if I miss a dose ?
• What happens if I overdose ?
• What should I avoid while taking codeine ?
• What other drugs will affect codeine ?
• Where can I get more information?

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

Do not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a narcotic medicine (examples include codeine, methadone, morphine, Oxycontin, Darvocet, Percocet, Vicodin, Lortab, and many others). You should also not take codeine if you are having an asthma attack or if you have a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.

Codeine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Codeine should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

Before using codeine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
• liver or kidney disease;
• underactive thyroid;
• curvature of the spine;
• a history of head injury or brain tumor;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• low blood pressure;
• gallbladder disease;
• Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders;
• enlarged prostate, urination problems;
• mental illness; or
• a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby, and could cause breathing problems or addiction/withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Codeine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. The use of codeine by some nursing mothers may lead to life-threatening side effects in the baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.

How should I take codeine ?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Never take codeine in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Take codeine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.

Do not stop using codeine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

Store codeine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Codeine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.