Overview - Codeine

Codeine is a painkiller. It is part of a group of medicines called opiates.

It can be used to treat pain, for example, after an operation or injury. It's also used for ongoing pain when painkillers such as ibuprofen and aspirin have not worked.

Codeine cough syrup is used to relieve dry coughs (coughs without phlegm) in adults.

A GP may also prescribe codeine to treat diarrhoea. This is known as off-label use. It does not mean that the medicine is unsafe. Your GP will tell you if they are prescribing the medicine off-label.

Types of codeine

Codeine is available on prescription.

Types of codeine include:

• cough syrup (linctus)
• mixed codeine tablets

Cough syrup

Cough syrup brand names include Codinex. You can get a small bottle (100mL) of codeine syrup without a prescription.

Do not take codeine cough syrup for more than 3 days. Talk to your GP if the cough does not improve after 3 days.

Mixed codeine tablets

You can also buy tablets that contain low-strength codeine from a pharmacy.

These comes mixed with:

• paracetamol (Solpadeine)
• ibuprofen (Nurofen Plus)

You can get the mixed tablets without a prescription. Do not take them for more than 3 days. Talk to your GP if the pain does not improve after 3 days.

How codeine works

Codeine works in the central nervous system and the brain to block pain signals to the rest of the body. It also reduces the anxiety and stress caused by pain.

How long codeine takes to work

Codeine works in about 30 to 60 minutes. It stops working after a few hours.