| DRUG | SUPPLIED | DOSE | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| CODEINE (Paeds) Mechanism of action: Opioid analgesic Ref: 44, 132, 394, , 396, 397, 579 Last update: 2022-06-16 |
tablet: 15 mg, 30 mg oral liquid: 5 mg/mL acetaminophen with codeine elixir: acetaminophen 32 mg/mL and codeine 1.6 mg/mL |
Analgesia: 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/dose PO Q4-6H PRN (Maximum: 60 mg/dose). |
Analgesic effect depends upon rate of metabolism of codeine to morphine and codeine-6-glucuronide, which varies widely in the general population. Poor metabolizers are at risk of therapeutic failure. Ultrarapid metabolizers are at risk of opioid overdose. Health Canada recommends against the use of codeine in children less than 12 years of age and in children of any age in the postoperative period after tonsillectomy and/or adeonoidectomy. Consider oral morphine as an alternative. Do not use as an antitussive. If maximum doses are used, risk of toxicity, particularly constipation, is increased. Standard Prescription: codeine__mg PO Q__H (__mg/kg/dose) (prn pain) |