Codeine

Category: alkaloid

Aliases: Methylmorphine

Pharmacological Mechanism

Methylated morphine prodrug — analgesic effect requires hepatic CYP2D6 demethylation to morphine, the active µ-opioid receptor agonist (~10% of dose). CYP2D6 ultrarapid metabolizers risk respiratory depression; poor metabolizers get little analgesia.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 3h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 30mg (Range: 15 - 60 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous
• respiratory
• digestive