Metabolic products appear in the urine within 24 hours. Tablets or elixir should not be administered to anyone who has previously shown hypersensitivity to any ingredient. Codeine tablets contain sodium metabisulfite. The sulfite can cause an asthmatic episode or an allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis. Be sure and educate your patients to this cold, hard reality.
Codeine is able to produce physiological drug dependence similar to morphine dependence.
Tolerance, psychological dependence and physiological dependence can occur with recurrent administration. Codeine also impairs mental alertness and physical coordination. Pregnancy category C. Use only during pregnancy if the potential benefits warrant the potential risk to the fetus. Dependence has been reported in newborns whos mothers took opiates regularly during pregnancy. The dose of one or both agents should be decreased.