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Combination of | |
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Codeine | Opioid analgesic |
paracetamol | Anilide analgesic |
Clinical data | |
Trade names | Tylenol with codeine, others |
MedlinePlus | a601005 |
License data | |
Routes of administration | By mouth |
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Codeine/paracetamol, also called codeine/acetaminophen and co-codamol, is a compound analgesic, comprising codeine phosphate and paracetamol (acetaminophen). Codeine/paracetamol is used for the relief of mild to moderate pain when paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen) alone do not sufficiently relieve symptoms.[2][3]
In 2021, it was the 176th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions.[7][8]
The most common side effects include constipation, nausea and drowsiness.[9]Others include coughing up blood from the lungs, skin rashes, dizziness, sedation, shortness of breath, hypersensitivity reaction, fainting (syncope or near syncope), confusion, loss of short-term memory, changes in blood, allergic reactions, euphoria, dysphoria, abdominal pain, itchiness, easy bruising, bleeding gums, vivid dreams, dry mouth and addiction.[10]
Genetic differences between people cause differing rates of metabolism of codeine to morphine. In about 5% of people this may happen particularly fast, causing morphine to be passed through breast milk in amounts that may cause fatal respiratory depression in a breastfed baby.[11]
Of the European Union (EU) member states, 11 allow over-the-counter sale of solid dosage forms of codeine, including codeine/paracetamol; they are Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovenia.[12]
pyrazolones / pyrazolidines | |
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salicylates | |
acetic acid derivatives and related substances | |
oxicams | |
propionic acid derivatives (profens) |
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n-arylanthranilic acids (fenamates) | |
COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs) | |
other | |
NSAID combinations | |
Key: underline indicates initially developed first-in-class compound of specific group; #WHO-Essential Medicines; †withdrawn drugs; ‡veterinary use. | |
μ-opioid (MOR) |
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δ-opioid (DOR) |
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κ-opioid (KOR) |
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Nociceptin (NOP) |
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Others |
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