Codeine is an opioid used to treat mild to moderate pain¹. It works by acting on the central nervous system (CNS) to alleviate pain. Codeine is classified as a narcotic analgesic, which can be habit-forming if used for prolonged periods².

Key Points about Codeine:

1. Pain Relief: Codeine is effective for relieving mild to moderate pain².
2. Habit-Forming: It can become habit-forming, leading to mental or physical dependence¹.
3. Risk of Addiction: People who have chronic pain should not avoid using Codeine out of fear of addiction, although controlled use under a doctor’s guidance is critical².
4. Breathing Problems: It may cause serious or life-threatening breathing problems, especially during the first few days of treatment or when doses are increased³.
5. Special Restrictions: Codeine is available only under the Opioid Analgesic REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) program due to risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse².

Patients should take Codeine exactly as prescribed by their healthcare provider to minimize risks. It should not be shared with others, especially children, to prevent serious harm or death⁴.

Footnotes

1. Mayo Clinic - Proper Use ↩ ↩²

2. Mayo Clinic - Description and Side Effects ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

3. MedlinePlus - Drug Information ↩

4. MedlinePlus - Acetaminophen and Codeine ↩