Codeine Phosphate 30mg

How It Works
Codeine acts on the brain and spinal cord’s opioid receptors, dulling how pain signals are sent and how strongly they’re felt.
It doesn’t remove the pain completely, but it takes the edge off, helping you to feel more comfortable and rest.
Once swallowed, your body partly converts codeine into morphine, which is what provides most of the pain-relieving effect.

Typical Use and Dosage
Codeine should be taken exactly as prescribed.

• Adults: usually one or two 30 mg tablets every four to six hours, as needed.

• Do not take more than 240 mg (eight tablets) in 24 hours.

• Always swallow the tablets whole with water.

• Taking them with or just after food can help reduce stomach upset.

This medicine is normally for short-term use only (no longer than three days) unless your doctor has said otherwise.
If pain lasts longer, you’ll need a review — long-term use raises the risk of dependence.

Possible Side Effects
Like all opioids, codeine can cause side-effects.
Common ones include:

• Drowsiness or dizziness

• Constipation

• Nausea or mild stomach upset

• Sweating or a dry mouth

More serious effects (less common):

• Slow or shallow breathing

• Severe allergic reaction (rash, swelling, breathing difficulty)

• Confusion or fainting

If any severe reaction happens, seek medical help straight away.
To help prevent constipation, drink plenty of water and include fibre in your diet while taking codeine.

Precautions and Who Should Avoid It
Tell your prescriber or pharmacist before taking codeine if you:

• Have asthma, COPD, or other breathing problems

• Suffer from liver or kidney disease

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding (codeine can pass to the baby)

• Have had head injuries or epilepsy

• Drink alcohol regularly or use other sedatives

Avoid alcohol and other medicines that cause drowsiness, as they can intensify the sedative effect.
Because codeine may make you sleepy, don’t drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.

Legal and Safety Information (UK)
Codeine Phosphate 30 mg is a Prescription-Only Medicine (POM) and a Class B controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
It can only be supplied by a registered UK pharmacy on a valid prescription.
Lower-strength forms (for example, co-codamol 8/500) are available from pharmacies without prescription, but 30 mg tablets are prescription-only.
Never buy opioids from unregulated sources online — counterfeit products are common and potentially dangerous.

Storage
Keep tablets in their original packaging below 25 °C, away from heat, moisture, and light.
Store out of sight and reach of children.
Return unused or expired tablets to a pharmacy for safe disposal.

Summary
Codeine Phosphate 30 mg is a moderate-strength opioid painkiller used for short-term relief of pain that other medicines can’t manage.
It works by dulling the pain signals in your brain, providing a sense of relief and calm.
Always use it exactly as prescribed, avoid alcohol, and speak to your doctor if the pain continues or side-effects become troublesome.