Codeine(6)-HRP

Codeine (INN) or methylmorphine is an opiate used for its analgesic, antitussive and anti-diarrhoeal properties. Codeine is an alkaloid that can be extracted from opium, and most codeine is synthesized from morphine through the process of O-methylation. Codeine is mainly used as a pain reliever, and as an anti-diarrhoeal agent. Codeine can be administered by many routes, this includes, SC , IM , as an enema, and orally. It is less potent than morphine and has a correspondingly lower dependence-liability than morphine(4). Like all opiates, codeine is addictive unless used infrequently. However, the withdrawal symptoms are relatively mild and as a consequence codeine is considerably less addictive than the other opiates.