Codeine reference guide for safe and effective use from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (AHFS DI). Codeine may cause serious or life-threatening breathing problems, especially during the first 24 to 72 hours of your treatment and any time your dose is increased. Your doctor will monitor you carefully during your treatment. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had slowed breathing or asthma. Codeine is a member of the opioid class of medications and is used to manage pain. Codeine is also used to treat cough. For mild-to-moderate pain, codeine is often used as a combined medication with acetaminophen or with an NSAID like ibuprofen. The drug is often available as a combination product with promethazine or an NSAID like salicylic acid for cough and cold. Codeine is often marketed in the form of tablets and syrups. While opioids are valuable agents for treating pain, they also ... What is codeine? Codeine is an ingredient contained in a number of pain medicines - it is an analgesic (painkiller). It is in the same family of medicines as opioid pain medications and drugs such as morphine, oxycodone and heroin. As of 1 February 2018, medicines containing codeine are no longer sold over the counter in Australian pharmacies and are available by prescription only. This decision was made by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) following substantial evidence of harm ...
