Codeine belongs to the class of medications called narcotic analgesics ("analgesic" means "pain reliever"). It is used to relieve mild-to-moderate pain. It works by blocking pain signals that are sent out by the brain to various areas of the body.

Codeine is also used to control coughing that is not controlled by non-narcotic cough suppressants. It works by acting on the brain to dull the cough reflex.

Linctus Codeine may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Linctus Codeine may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Linctus Codeine may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Linctus Codeine for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Linctus Codeine, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Linctus Codeine without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Linctus Codeine to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Linctus Codeine if their doctor has not prescribed it.

Pain relief: The recommended dose of codeine for pain relief for adults and children over 12 years of age is 15 mg to 60 mg every 4 to 6 hours as required, not to exceed 360 mg in one day.

Cough: The recommended adult dose of codeine as a cough suppressant is 15 mg to 30 mg every 6 to 8 hours as needed, up to a maximum of 120 mg daily.

Codeine is no longer recommended for children, due to the increased risk of breathing difficulty and other complications of Linctus Codeine.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Linctus Codeine may be habit-forming if taken for long periods of time. Do not stop taking Linctus Codeine without talking with your doctor. If this medication is stopped suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, trouble sleeping, shakiness, nausea, tremors, Diarrhea, or hallucinations. If you plan on stopping the medication, your doctor may want you to reduce the dose gradually to reduce the severity of withdrawal effects.

It is important to take Linctus Codeine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If your doctor has told you to take Linctus Codeine on a regular basis and you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Linctus Codeine at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Linctus Codeine with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Linctus Codeine. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• Constipation
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• Dry Mouth
• headache
• light-headedness
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• sweating
• weakness
• vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• confusion
• difficulty passing urine or decreased amount of urine produced
• Hives, itching, or skin rash
• signs of breathing problems (e.g., shortness of breath, wheezing, irregular or troubled breathing)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• seizures
• severe weakness
• signs of a serious allergic reaction (i.e., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
• signs of codeine overdose: cold and clammy skin, Low Blood Pressure, pinpoint pupils of eyes, severe drowsiness, severe nervousness or restlessness, slow heartbeat, weakness
• slow or troubled breathing

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Linctus Codeine.

Linctus Codeine is available as a 0.2% oral liquid.

Do not use Linctus Codeine if you:

• are allergic to codeine or any ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to any morphine-type medications
• are experiencing acute Alcoholism or delirium tremens
• are experiencing acute Asthma or other obstructive airway disease
• are experiencing acute respiratory Depression
• have a blockage of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly paralytic ileus
• have a head injury, a brain tumour, or increased pressure inside the head or spinal cord
• have taken an MAO inhibitor such as Phenelzine or Tranylcypromine in the past 14 days
• have a convulsive (seizure) disorder
• have cor pulmonale
• have recently consumed alcohol
• have suspected abdominal conditions that may require surgery
• are pregnant or breast-feeding, in labour, or delivering

Do not give Linctus Codeine to children less than 12 years of age.

There may be an interaction between codeine and any of the following:

• alcohol
• Amiodarone
• ammonium chloride
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, lisdexamphetamine)
• antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, doxylamine, Diphenhydramine, Hydroxyzine, Loratadine)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• atropine
• azelastine
• barbiturates (e.g., Phenobarbital, butalbital)
• belladonna
• benzodiazepines (e.g., Diazepam, Lorazepam, Oxazepam)
• Benztropine
• beta-blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Propranolol)
• brimonidine
• Buprenorphine
• Bupropion
• Buspirone
• Butorphanol
• Celecoxib
• certain HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., lopinavir, ritonavir, tipranavir)
• chloral hydrate
• Cinacalcet
• cocaine
• delavirdine
• Desmopressin
• Disopyramide
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene)
• dronabinol
• Dronedarone
• droperidol
• Duloxetine
• efavirenz
• Flavoxate
• general anesthetics (medications used to put people to sleep before surgery)
• glycopyrrolate
• imatinib
• ipratropium
• isoniazid
• Methadone
• metyrosine
• Minocycline
• Mirabegron
• Mirtazapine
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. e.g., Moclobemide, phenelzine, Selegiline, tranylcypromine)
• muscle relaxants (e.g., Baclofen, Cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, orphenadrine)
• Nabilone
• nalbuphine
• Naltrexone
• other narcotic pain relievers (e.g., Fentanyl, Hydrocodone, morphine)
• Nilotinib
• Octreotide
• Olopatadine
• Oxybutynin
• Pentazocine
• Pramipexole
• quinidine
• quinine
• rifampin
• Ropinirole
• Rotigotine
• Rufinamide
• scopolamine
• seizure medications (e.g., Clobazam, Ethosuximide, felbamate, Levetiracetam, phenobarbital, Phenytoin, primidone, Topiramate, Valproic acid, zonisamide)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, duloxetine, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• Tapentadol
• terbinafine
• thiopental
• Ticlopidine
• tiotropium
• Tolterodine
• Tramadol
• tranylcypromine
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Desipramine, Nortriptyline)
• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.