OVERVIEW:
The following article is related to the prescription status of a drug known as codeine phosphate UK. All the aspects of codeine phosphate will be discussed with special reference to the status of codeine phosphate 30mg is it a controlled drug or over the counter available medication.
CODEINE PHOSPHATE:
Codeine phosphate is a derivative of opium or morphine. It has a wide range of medical implications and has proven very effective as an analgesic, anti-diarrheal and as an anti-tussive medicine.
THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS OF CODEINE PHOSPHATE:
It is widely prescribed for symptomatic relief from the following medical conditions:
- Provides symptomatic relief from pain that is mild to moderate in intensity.
- It is very effective in providing symptomatic relief from un-productive cough.
- It is also given to the patients suffering from diarrhea.
MECHANISM OF ACTION OF CODEINE PHOSPHATE:
Codeine phosphate brings its effects by acting as a selective agonist to the opioid receptors in the brain although the rate of affinity for the mu-receptor is much less as compared to the more potent morphine drug. Mu-receptors are responsible for sensing and the transmission of the pain throughout the central nervous system and the body.
AVAILABLE FORMS AND DOSAGES OF CODEINE PHOSPHATE:
Codeine phosphate 30 mg is available in the form of un-coated tablets or pills. Each 30 milligram of tablet contains 30 milligrams of codeine phosphate hemihydrate and 16 milligrams of lactose BP.
WHAT IS THE PRESCRIPTION STATUS OF CODEINE PHOSPHATE?
Back in the years it was readily available in the drug stores and can be procured without any prescription as an over-the-counter medicine option but as the latest alterations in the regulatory rules’ codeine phosphate has been included in the list of controlled drugs and are only available on the provision of a valid prescription.
The internationally recognised weak opioid standard is codeine, a naturally occurring opium alkaloid (World Health Organization 1996). In the liver, glucuronidation, N-demethylation, and O-demethylation are the main methods of metabolism. The analgesic metabolite of codeine, which lacks analgesic qualities on its own, is converted to morphine (2-10% of the codeine dose) by the later process via cytochrome P450 2D6 (Lotsch 2005). Due to the approximately 9% of Caucasians who are weak in this isoenzyme and do not experience any analgesic benefits from codeine, its clinical value is limited (Stamer and Stuber 2007b). On the other hand, some individuals have extremely quick metabolisms and show high amounts of morphine after ingesting codeine (Kirchheiner et al 2007);
DOSAGE GUIDELINES REGARDING CODEINE PHOSPHATE:
Dosage is different as per the situation which is being treated. Different dosage are as follows:
DOSAGE FOR ANALGESIA:
ADULTS:
To achieve state of analgesia in an adult the dosage should be in between 30 to 60 milligrams given every four hours till the desired effects are achieved. Maximum dosage is 240 milligrams.
GERIATRIC DOSE:
In elderly the dosage is relatively less. The dosage should be more clearly monitored among individuals with renal or hepatic insufficiencies.
PAEDIATRIC DOSE:
It can be used only among children that are older than 12 years of age. The dose is calculated as 0.5 to 1 milligrams of medicine to be prescribed per kilogram of body weight.
DOSAGE FOR COUGH:
ADULTS:
Adult cough dose may range between 15 milligrams to 30 milligrams 3 to 4 times per day. Among elderly patients usually dosage is reduced to half as compared to the adult dose.
DOSAGE FOR DIARRHEA:
ADULT DOSE:
Adults and children above 12 years of age can be given 15 milligrams to 60 milligrams three to four times in a span of 24 hours. Not recommended in children above 12 years. Should be prescribed carefully to renally and hepatically compromised geriatric patients.
ADVERSE EFFECTS OF CODEINE PHOSPHATE:
One must know the adverse effects that codeine phosphate can cause. Patients might experience different symptoms for different individuals. Here is the list of the reported adverse effects that one might encounter while.
- Drug dependance
- Tolerance
- Drug abuse
- Drug withdrawal symptoms
- Restlessness
- Lacrimation
- Frequent yawning
- Rhinorrhea
- Palpitations
- Mydriasis
- Perspirations
- Chills
- Myalgias
- Anxiety
- Hyperkinesia
- weakness
- tremors
- insomnia
- irritability
- anorexia
- abdominal cramping
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- increased in blood pressure
- increased respiratory rate
- increased pulse and heart rate
- if taken by expecting mother then the newly born child may experience neonatal withdrawal symptoms.
- hyperalgesia
WAYS TO BUY CODEINE PHOSPHATE:
It is available on prescription from the drug stores and codeine phosphate 30mg buy option is available at multiple online websites. They ensure timely home delivery of discreet medicines. They also offer discount offers to facilitate the consumer’s and different payment options is a sigh of relief for the buyers. Multiple websites are operating and one of the most promising websites is buy sleeping pills UK that offers genuine products and a round the clock operational desk that helps the consumers with all their queries from the drug procurement method to the pharmacological aspects of the drug. Any side effect can be reported immediately to them and medical guidance can be asked.
