Codeine

Codeine is a weak opioid painkiller. In many areas of the world, it is the only approved opioid that is sold over-the-counter, typically mized with other non-opioid drugs, such as acetaminophen.

Codeine

Legal Status
US	Rx Only (Schedule II, III) Schedule V, currently unavailable (see Legality)
Canada	OTC when mixed with 2 or more other drugs
EU	OTC when mixed with other drugs Rx only
Drug Information
FDA Classification	Drug
Class	Opioid painkiller
Onset of Action	30-60 minutes
Duration of Action	4-6 hours
Addiction Risk	Moderate
Therapeutic Index	Moderate (1:20)
Brand names	Prometh with Codeine (discontinued) Robitussin AC (discontinued) Nurofen Plus Tylenol 1 Codoliprane Claradol

Legality and Availability

Western countries

Codeine is freely available in small amounts in many countries. Unfortunately, the United States is not one of them. Codeine cough syrup used to be available, but has since been pulled from the market.

Codeine in combination products is available without a prescription in Canada, Mexico, Australia, and most of Europe, including the United Kingdom and France.

Germany, the Netherlands, and other countries generally do not have codeine available over the counter. However, as EU member countries, citizens can order codeine combination products from other European countries.

Editor's Note: When in Europe, I found codeine combination products available OTC in the United Kingdom, France, and Denmark. In Germany, I was told by a pharmacist that codeine is not available without a prescription. I was also unable to find codeine over-the-counter in Amsterdam, although I have heard that in some municipalities, cough syrup containing small amounts of codeine are available without a prescription. - User:SpenB

In the West, codeine is rarely available in pure form over-the-counter. One notable exception is Padéryl in France.

It should be noted that the possession of codeine in the United States is not illegal. In fact, nonprescription codeine is technically legal and approved, although no pharmaceutical company currently makes an OTC solution due to liability concerns.

India

In March 2016, Indian authorities announced that cough syrup including codeine was to be banned. The government cited, among other reasons, the fact that diversion of codeine products is so widespread.

Official Uses

Codeine is an opioid with about 1/8 the potency of morphine when taken orally.

Codeine is an excellent painkiller for mild to moderate pain, and is effective in suppressing coughs.

Unofficial Uses

Codeine has been noted to have anti-anxiety effects.

Many people use codeine recreationally, although due to its slow onset of action and long duration, it is considered less addictive than other stronger and faster-acting opioids such as oxycodone and heroin.

See Also

• Dihydrocodeine
• Ethylmorphine
• Kratom