codotab 15 mg

The dosage for adults for pain relief is typically 15–60 mg every 4 hours, with a maximum daily dose of 240 mg. For cough suppression in adults, the usual dose is 15–30 mg, taken 3–4 times daily. Codotab is not recommended for children under 12 years. For adolescents aged 12–18 years, it should be used with caution, and the dosage determined by a healthcare professional. Elderly patients may require lower doses. This medication can be taken with or without food.

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion. Other potential side effects are euphoria, dry mouth, headache, sweating, changes in heart rate (bradycardia or tachycardia), low blood pressure, respiratory depression (especially at higher doses), hallucinations, and seizures with excessive doses. Tolerance to some side effects like nausea and drowsiness may develop over time, but constipation often persists.

Several precautions should be considered. Codeine carries a risk of physical dependence and addiction, particularly with prolonged use. It should be avoided in individuals with asthma, chronic lung disease, or other respiratory conditions due to the risk of respiratory depression. Caution is advised for patients with liver or kidney impairment, and dosage adjustments may be needed. Codotab is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Due to potential drowsiness or dizziness, activities like driving or operating machinery should be avoided if affected.

Contraindications for using Codotab include hypersensitivity to codeine, children under 12 years, respiratory depression or obstructive airway disease, acute or severe asthma attacks, known or suspected paralytic ileus, use in children after tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy, and concurrent use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or within 14 days of stopping MAOI treatment.

Codeine works as an opioid analgesic by binding to opioid receptors in the nervous system, which inhibits pain signals. About 10% of codeine is converted to morphine in the body, contributing to its pain-relieving effects. It suppresses coughs by acting directly on the cough center in the medulla.

Regarding its pharmacokinetics, codeine is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. It can cross the placenta and is present in breast milk. Approximately 25% of the drug binds to proteins in the blood. It is metabolized in the liver and has an elimination half-life of about 3 to 4 hours, reaching peak effects in about 1 hour. It is primarily excreted in the urine.

Codotab 15 mg should be stored at room temperature (15–25°C), kept out of reach of children, and not used after its expiry date. This medication is available in Nepal, manufactured by Omnica Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., and requires a prescription due to its opioid content. Always consult a healthcare professional before use.