Painkillers: Codeine

What is it?

Codeine is a prescription pain reliever that may be used to relieve mild to moderate pain and to reduce coughing when used in combination with other medications.

Brand/Commercial Names

(Limited selection as there are over 50 brand names of codeine alone and in combination with other medications)

Brontex®
Capital and Codeine®
Fiorinal® with Codeine (as a combination product containing Codeine Phosphate, Aspirin, Butabarbital, and Caffeine)
Guiatussin® with Codeine
Mytussin® AC Cough Syrup
Robafen AC® Syrup
Robitussin A-C® Syrup
Tussi-Organidin®-S NR
Tylenol with Codeine (No. 2, No. 3, No. 4)®

Street Names

T3s
AC/DC
Coties

Looks Like

Tablet, Capsule, Liquid

How it is Administered/Used

Swallowed

Dangerous Because

Side effects when abused include:

Difficulty breathing or swallowing, rash, itching, hives, changes in vision, seizures, and fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat

Teen Usage

1 in 5 teens have abused a prescription pain reliever

Important to Know

Sixty percent of teens who have abused prescription painkillers did so before age 15.

Signs of Abuse

Nausea, constipation, confusion, sedation, respiratory depression and arrest, addiction, unconsciousness, coma, euphoria/feelings of joy, drowsiness/lethargy, concentration problems, change in physical activity, pinpoint pupils, appetite changes