Codeine: what is it for, risks and side effects


Codeine is an opioid medication used to treat acute pain, either after surgery or a serious injury. It can also be prescribed in situations of intense pain that are not relieved by common analgesics. However, its use is not recommended for chronic pain due to the risk of long-term dependence.

Codeine is available in different forms such as pills, injections and oral liquid solution. In addition to its analgesic effect, codeine also has antitussive properties and can be combined with other medicines to relieve coughing.

It is important to note that drugs containing codeine can only be purchased with a doctor's prescription. This is due to the dependence potential that the substance presents. Therefore, it is essential to follow the doctor's exact instructions regarding dosage and duration of treatment with the drug.

Codeine works by modifying the transmission of pain signals in the nervous system, resulting in temporary pain relief. When combined with other medications such as paracetamol or aspirin, it can also help control coughing by acting on the nervous system to reduce the urge to cough.