E-DRUG: Codeine Linctus (cont)
------------------------------
Codeine linctus is not on the Canadian market.
Codeine is not necessarily a terribly useful drug. It has weak analgesic
activity. Adding codeine (60 mg) to acetaminophen (600 mg) produces a
modest increase in pain relief. Smaller doses of codeine do not help.
(Zhang WY, Po ALW. Analgesic efficacy of paracetamol and its combination
with codeine and caffeine in surgical pain-a meta-analysis. J Clin Pharm
Ther 1996;21:261-82. de Craen AJM, Di Giulio G, Lampe-Schoenmaeckers AJEM,
Kessels AGH, Kleijnen J.Analgesic efficacy and safety ofparacetamol-codeine
combinations versus paracetamol alone: a systematic review. BMJ
1996;313:321-5.)
To date clinical studies of codeine as an antitussive have also not shown
it to be of value. (Taylor JA, Novack AH, Almquist JR, et al. Efficacy of
cough suppressants in children. J Pediatr 1993;122(5pt1):799-802.
Eccles R, Morris S, Jawad M. Lack of effect of codeine in the treatment of
cough associated with acute upper respiratory tract infection. J Clin Pharm
Ther 1992;17:175-80.)
Joel Lexchin
Joel Lexchin MD
121 Walmer Rd.
Toronto, Ontario
CANADA M5R 2X8
Phone: (416)-964-7186
Fax: (416)-923-9515
e mail: joel.lexchin@utoronto.ca
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