Codeine phosphate product, as identified by the photographer.
phenida@PHENTANYL · Public domain
About Codeine
Codeine is an opioid used in certain pain and cough products; ingredients and restrictions differ by product.
Also searched as: Methylmorphine · Tylenol with Codeine · Robitussin AC
Available strengths
Strength is the amount in a tablet, capsule, liquid or patch. Different formulations are listed separately.
| Product & formulation | Strengths |
|---|---|
| Codeine sulfate Oral tablet | 15 mg · 30 mg · 60 mg Single-ingredient codeine sulfate; not a codeine combination product. Product label · Checked 2026-10-31 |
Buy Codeine: pricing & legal access
Codeine online: availability & product information
Saved U.S. price estimates from Drugs.com for the exact products and quantities below. These are dated estimates, not live pharmacy quotes or insurance copays. Discounts and local availability vary.
| Product / strength | Quantity | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Codeine sulfate 15 mg Oral tablet | 100 tablets | $68.20 Drugs.com published cash estimate Drugs.com price guide Checked 2026-10-31 |
Prices refer to medication only; consultation, administration and monitoring costs may be additional. Prescription products require a valid prescription and a licensed pharmacy. Check the exact formulation before comparing offers.
Codeine information
Uses and formulations
Some tablets combine codeine with acetaminophen. The codeine name alone does not identify a medicine’s complete composition.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Codeine
Side effects and serious risks
Constipation, nausea and sedation can occur. Conversion to morphine varies between people, contributing to unpredictable breathing toxicity.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Codeine
Dosage and directions
Use only the prescribed directions. Codeine has important restrictions for children; do not infer a child’s dose from adult instructions.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Codeine
Interactions and precautions
Alcohol, sleeping medicines and other opioids increase sedation. Discuss breastfeeding and other medical conditions with the prescriber.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Codeine
U.S. classification depends on the product
Codeine and certain codeine combinations have different federal classifications. Verify the exact preparation rather than applying a single schedule to every codeine product.
Sources: DEA — Controlled substances alphabetical list (October 2026)
Pharmacology and mechanism
Codeine has opioid activity and is partly converted to morphine through CYP2D6. Differences in metabolism contribute to variable pain relief and toxicity between individuals.
Formulations and product identification
The active ingredient alone does not describe a finished product. These distinctions matter when reading a label or comparing prescriptions.
| Product or formulation | Important distinction |
|---|---|
| Codeine sulfate | Single-ingredient prescription preparation. |
| Codeine/acetaminophen | Includes a separate non-opioid ingredient. |
| Cough preparations | May contain additional ingredients and have different restrictions. |
Monitoring and treatment follow-up
Clinical review considers breathing symptoms, sedation, constipation and whether treatment is effective. A product’s combination ingredients and the patient’s age are especially important when assessing suitability.
Dependence and stopping treatment
Repeated opioid exposure can cause physical dependence. Abrupt discontinuation after ongoing use may produce withdrawal. Codeine’s reputation as a less potent opioid does not remove the risks of dependence or respiratory toxicity.
How it differs from related medicines
Codeine is not interchangeable with morphine simply because morphine is a metabolite. Likewise, one codeine combination cannot substitute for another without checking all ingredients, concentration and prescribed directions.
Sources and editorial notes
Prepared by DrugRX using the references linked below. Sources were consulted on 2026-10-31. This page has not been independently reviewed by a clinician. Research findings, medication approval and legal permission are separate questions.
- MedlinePlus — Codeine
- DEA — Controlled substances alphabetical list (October 2026)
- DailyMed — Codeine sulfate prescribing information
- Drugs.com — codeine price guide
Legal information is a dated U.S. reference. Product rules and local laws may change. Where the evidence does not establish a dose, interaction profile or price, the page states that limitation.