Codeine

Codeine: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

Opioid analgesic.

Uses of Codeine

• Cough suppression.
• Analgesia.
• Treatment of diarrhea.

Dose of Codeine in Dogs and Cats

Dogs:

Antitussive: 1–2 mg/kg p.o. q6–12h. Do not use Pardale-V for codeine at this dose rate.
Analgesia: 1–2 mg/kg p.o. q6–12h. Do not use Pardale-V for codeine at this dose rate.

Cats:

Analgesia: 0.5–2 mg/kg p.o. q6–8h. Do not use a formulation with paracetamol.

Veterinary Pardale-V is a formulation that contains 400 mg paracetamol and 9 mg codeine. Pardale-V tablets cannot be used as a codeine source because they give a very high dose of paracetamol.

Side Effects of Codeine in Dogs and Cats

• Sedation, ataxia, respiratory depression and constipation.
• May cause CNS stimulation in cats.

Contraindications of Codeine in Dogs and Cats

• Renal insufficiency.
• Hypoadrenocorticism.
• Increased intracranial pressure.
• Hypothyroidism.
• Care with severe respiratory compromise.
• Never administer Pardale-V to cats