What is the name of a cough medicine that contains codeine?

From the Guidelines

Codeine is a cough medicine that contains an opioid, which is commonly used to suppress cough.

Key Points

• Codeine is a central cough suppressant, which means it works by acting on the brain to reduce the cough reflex 1.
• It is recommended for the short-term symptomatic relief of coughing in patients with chronic bronchitis, with a level of evidence of fair and a grade of recommendation of B 1.
• The typical dosage of codeine for cough suppression is 30-60 mg every 4-6 hours, as needed 1.
• Codeine is not recommended for cough due to upper respiratory infection (URI) as it has limited efficacy for symptomatic relief in this context 1.
• Other opioids such as hydrocodone, dihydrocodeine, and morphine may also be used to suppress cough, especially in patients with lung cancer 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Drug Facts Active Ingredients Purpose (in each teaspoonful (5 mL)) Codeine Phosphate USP 10 mg ................... Antitussive Guaifenesin USP 100 mg ........................... Expectorant The name of a cough medicine that contains codeine is codeine (PO) 2.

• The active ingredients are Codeine Phosphate USP and Guaifenesin USP.
• Codeine is used as an Antitussive, which means it is used to relieve cough.

From the Research

Cough Medicines Containing Codeine

• There are several over-the-counter (OTC) preparations that contain codeine, typically as a component of remedies for the common cold/cough 3.
• Codeine is one of the centrally acting narcotic opioids approved for use as an antitussive, and it has been widely regarded as the standard cough suppressant against which newer drugs are being evaluated 4.
• However, the evidence for the effectiveness of codeine in suppressing cough is limited, and some studies have shown that it is no more effective than placebo in suppressing cough caused by either upper respiratory disorders or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 5, 6, 7.

Specific Cough Medicines

• The studies do not provide a specific name of a cough medicine that contains codeine, but they mention that codeine is widely available in OTC preparations for consumption typically as a component of remedies for the common cold/cough 3.
• Codeine is often used in combination with other medicines for the effective short-term symptomatic relief of dry or nonproductive cough in clinical practice 4.

Safety and Efficacy

• The usage of codeine in the pediatric setting has been highlighted in recent years with many reported deaths, mostly due to respiratory depression 3.
• Codeine dependence is a common problem among adults and has been reported locally and internationally among adolescents 3.
• The risks associated with codeine usage may be particularly unnecessary with OTC cough suppressants as evidence of efficacy is absent 3.