How many mg of codeine

With oral use. Manufacturer advises avoid recommendation also supported by MHRA and specialist sources. Present in milk and mothers vary considerably in their capacity to metabolise codeine; risk of opioid toxicity in infant. With intramuscular use. Avoid use or reduce dose; opioid effects increased and prolonged and increased cerebral sensitivity occurs. Forms available from special-order manufacturers include: oral suspension, oral solution, solution for injection.

Tablet , Oral solution , Solution for injection. Other drugs classified as opioids. Other drugs classified as cough suppressants. Doses may be taken up to four times a day at intervals of no less than 6 hours.

When prescribing or dispensing codeine-containing medicines for cough and cold, consider that codeine is contra-indicated in: children younger than 12 years old patients of any age known to be CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolisers breastfeeding mothers.

Acute abdomen ; cardiac arrhythmias ; gallstones ; not recommended for adolescents aged 12—18 years with breathing problems Cautions, further information Variation in metabolism The capacity to metabolise codeine to morphine can vary considerably between individuals; there is a marked increase in morphine toxicity in patients who are ultra-rapid codeine metabolisers CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolisers and a reduced therapeutic effect in poor codeine metabolisers.

Individual interactants: Codeine. General side-effects Frequency not known Biliary spasm ; hypothermia ; mood altered ; postural hypotension ; sexual dysfunction ; ureteral spasm. Frequency not known With oral use abdominal cramps ; addiction ; appetite decreased ; depression ; dyskinesia ; dyspnoea ; face oedema ; fatigue ; fever ; hyperglycaemia ; hypersensitivity ; hypotension with high doses ; intracranial pressure increased ; lymphadenopathy ; malaise ; muscle rigidity with high doses ; nightmare ; pancreatitis ; restlessness ; seizure ; splenomegaly ; urinary disorders ; vision disorders With parenteral use dysuria.

With oral use Manufacturer advises caution in mild to moderate impairment; avoid in severe impairment. Speak to your doctor if you are worried about tolerance, hyperalgesia or becoming addicted. If you're addicted to codeine, you may want to take it more often or feel agitated if you delay taking a dose for any reason. And if you stop taking codeine suddenly you may suffer from withdrawal symptoms.

Drinking alcohol while you're on codeine may make you feel more sleepy or increase the risk of serious side effects. It's best to stop drinking alcohol during the first few days of treatment until you see how codeine affects you. If you feel sleepy with codeine, stop drinking alcohol while you're taking it.

Children aged 12 to 18 years can take codeine for pain or diarrhoea - but only if other medicines haven't worked. Use the lowest dose that works for no more than 3 days.

If they still have symptoms after 3 days see a doctor. Codeine shouldn't be given to children aged 12 to 18 years if they have breathing problems or if they have had their tonsils or adenoids removed because of obstructive sleep apnoea.

If you're taking codeine for a short time and at normal doses, there's no firm evidence that it can reduce fertility. However if you've been taking it for a long time and you're concerned about your fertility, or you're trying to get pregnant, speak to a pharmacist or your doctor. The type of painkiller that's best depends on what type of pain you have.

If codeine doesn't get rid of your pain or becomes less effective, talk to your doctor. Codeine is a controlled medicine. This means there are extra rules on how it's prescribed and dispensed to make sure it's not given to the wrong person or misused.

However, this doesn't affect you as a patient. The rules only apply to the pharmacy that dispenses it. When you first take codeine, you'll probably feel sleepy for a few days. But the sleepiness will wear off as your body gets used to the medicine. You might notice you're less alert.

In this case, you might choose to have less than perfect pain relief as a trade-off. Do not drive a car or ride a bike if codeine makes you sleepy during the daytime, gives you blurred vision or makes you feel dizzy, clumsy or unable to concentrate or make decisions.

This may be more likely when you first start taking codeine but could happen at any time - for example when starting another medicine. It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive. If you're in any doubt, do not drive. Even if your ability to drive is not affected, the police have the right to request a saliva sample to check how much codeine is in your body.

UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's safe for you to drive while taking codeine. Codeine doesn't affect any type of contraception, including the combined pill or emergency contraception. But, if you are taking codeine because you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy.

Look on the pill packet to find out what to do. If you take recreational drugs, such as cannabis, cocaine and heroin while you're taking codeine, you're more likely to get the serious side effects of codeine including breathing difficulties, heart problems, seizures and even go into a coma. Some recreational drugs, such as cannabis, will also increase codeine side effects such as sleepiness and dizziness. Taking heroin while you're on prescribed codeine is especially dangerous.

You're more likely to get all the side effects of codeine, including addiction. Tell your doctor if you think you may take recreational drugs while you're on codeine. Page last reviewed: 27 November Next review due: 27 November Codeine On this page About codeine Key facts Who can and can't take codeine How and when to take it Taking codeine with other painkillers Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About codeine Codeine is a painkiller. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? Codeine works by stopping pain signals from travelling along the nerves to the brain. The most common side effects of codeine are constipation, feeling sick nausea and feeling sleepy. It's possible to become addicted to codeine, but your doctor will explain how to reduce the risks of becoming addicted.

If you need to take codeine for more than a few weeks, your treatment plan may include details of how and when to stop taking this medicine. It may be best not to drink alcohol while taking codeine as you're more likely to get side effects like feeling sleepy. Do not give codeine to children under 12 years old. Only give codeine to children aged 12 to 18 years if everyday painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen haven't worked.

Codeine can be taken by adults and children aged 12 years and older. Tell your doctor before starting the medicine if you have: had an allergic reaction to codeine or any other medicines in the past a lung problem a head injury adrenal gland problems an illness which causes seizures an addiction to alcohol an underactive thyroid gland kidney or liver problems gallstones an enlarged prostate low blood pressure myasthenia gravis a rare illness that causes muscle weakness symptoms of ulcerative colitis a bowel condition Do not give codeine to children who are under 18 years old and have had their tonsils or adenoids removed because of a sleep problem called obstructive sleep apnoea.

Different types of codeine Codeine comes as: tablets - these contain 15mg, 30mg or 60mg of codeine a liquid that you swallow - this contains 25mg of codeine in a 5ml spoonful cough syrup - this contains 15mg of codeine in a 5ml spoonful an injection usually given in hospital If you're taking codeine as a liquid, it will come with a plastic spoon or syringe to help you measure the correct amount.

Dosage The usual dose of codeine is 15mg to 60mg. The usual dose for treating pain: adults usually take one or two 30mg tablets every 4 hours, up to a maximum of 8 tablets mg in 24 hours children aged 12 to 17 years usually take one or two 30mg tablets or one or two 5ml spoonfuls of liquid every 6 hours elderly people or people with kidney or liver problems usually take a 15mg tablet every 4 hours The usual dose for treating diarrhoea: adults usually take one or two 30mg tablets or one or two 5ml spoonfuls of liquid children aged 12 to 17 years usually take one or two 30mg tablets or one or two 5ml spoonfuls of liquid elderly people or people with kidney or liver problems usually take a 15mg tablet You can take this dose 3 or 4 times a day.

The usual dose for treating a cough: adults and children usually take one or two 5ml spoonfuls of cough syrup 3 or 4 times a day. Important: Overdose warning It's important not to take more than your prescribed dose.

Do not take more than 4 doses of codeine in 24 hours if you're: a child aged 12 to 17 years taking a 60mg dose. Will my dose go up or down? If you get side effects your dose may go down. How long will I take it for? You might only need to take codeine for a few days. What if I forget to take it? Never take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten one.

What will happen if I stop taking it? If you stop taking it suddenly it can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as: feeling agitated feeling anxious shaking sweating.

Important If you have been taking codeine for more than a few weeks do not stop taking it without speaking to your doctor first. What if I take too much? Taking too much codeine can be dangerous. Urgent advice: Contact for advice now if:. Storing codeine If you've been prescribed codeine, it's particularly important that you: store it properly and safely at home keep it out of the sight and reach of children never give your medicine to anyone else Return any unused codeine to your pharmacist.

They will dispose of it. Common side effects Common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the side effects bother you or don't go away: constipation feeling or being sick nausea or vomiting feeling sleepy confusion, feeling dizzy and vertigo a sensation of spinning dry mouth headaches Serious side effects Serious side effects happen in less than 1 in people.

Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to codeine. Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: constipation - try to get more fibre into your diet such as fresh fruit and vegetables and cereals. Try to drink several glasses of water or other non-alcoholic liquid each day.

If you can, it may also help to do some gentle exercise. It's safe to use a laxative if your constipation doesn't go away. Usually, lactulose is best but check with a pharmacist or doctor first. If you're being sick, try small frequent sips of water. This side effect should normally wear off after a few days.

Talk to your doctor about taking an anti-sickness medicine if it carries on for longer. Talk to your doctor if it carries on for longer. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you don't faint, then sit until you feel better. This side effect should wear off within a few days as your body gets used to codeine.

Your doctor can also prescribe an artificial saliva substitute to keep your mouth moist. This comes as a spray, gel or lozenge. Talk to your doctor if the headaches get worse or last longer than a week. Codeine isn't recommended during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Codeine and breastfeeding Codeine isn't usually recommended if you're breastfeeding.

Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. Tell your doctor if you're taking any medicines: to help you sleep for depression - some types can't be taken with codeine for high blood pressure to help stop you feeling or being sick to treat symptoms of an allergy to reduce tension or anxiety for mental health problems Mixing codeine with herbal remedies and supplements It's not possible to say that complementary medicines and herbal remedies are safe to take with codeine.

Important: Medicine safety Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements.

How does codeine work? Codeine is from a group of medicines called opiates, or narcotics. How long will it take to work? This depends on the type of codeine you take. Can I become addicted to codeine? How will I know if I'm addicted to it? Talk to your doctor if you're worried about addiction.