(KOH-deen)
Codeine is a medicine used to treat pain. It is also used to treat coughs. It can be given as an injection, tablet, or liquid. It is also available as a combination product (e.g. Tylenol with codeine®) that is mixed with acetaminophen the active ingredient in Tylenol®. These products are used to treat pain.
Show All- Use as directed by your child's doctor.
- This medicine can be given with or without food. Give with food if it upsets the stomach.
- Do not give any other medicines, prescription or over-the counter (OTC), without first talking to the doctor.
- If your child has respiratory problems, or a history of drug or alcohol abuse, please inform the doctor. Addiction and breathing problems are rare when codeine is used the correct way.
- Do not use after the expiration date on the bottle/package.
- Keep this medication out of the reach of children.
- If too much medicine is taken by accident, call the Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC) 513-636-5111 or 1-800-222-1222, or call your child's doctor immediately.
- If taking codeine in a combination product with acetaminophen, do not take any other products containing acetaminophen. This could result in your child receiving too much acetaminophen.
For any medication information related to your child's dosing schedule and/or missed doses, contact the healthcare provider who prescribed the medication.
- Sleepiness
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Itching
- Extreme sleepiness or difficult awakening
- Difficulty breathing
- Any rash
- Constipation
- Unable to urinate
Constipation (hard or fewer stools) can be a problem while taking codeine. The doctor may also want to have your child take a medicine to help move your child's stools.
Call your child's doctor if the pain is not helped by this medicine.
For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
