Indications

Approved indications for codeine include:

* Cough, though its efficacy in low dose over the counter formulations has been disputed.[1]
* Diarrhea (Diarrhoea in British English)
* Moderate to severe pain
* Irritable bowel syndrome

Codeine is sometimes marketed in combination preparations with paracetamol (acetaminophen) as co-codamol or paracod (best known in North America as Tylenol 3), with aspirin as co-codaprin or with ibuprofen. These combinations provide greater pain relief than either agent alone (drug synergy; see synergy). Codeine is also commonly compounded with other pain killers or muscle relaxers such as Fioricet with Codeine, Soma Compound/Codeine, etc. Codeine-only products can be obtained with a prescription as a time release tablet (eg. Codeine Contin(r) 100mg).