Codeine is used to treat mild to moderate pain. [7] It is commonly used to treat post-surgical dental pain. [15] Weak evidence indicates that it is useful in cancer pain, but it may have increased adverse effects, especially constipation, compared to other opioids. [16] The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend its use in children due to side effects. [11] The Food and Drug. Patient leaflet - Codeine Phosphate 30 mg tablets 1. What Codeine Phosphate Tablets are and what they are used for This medicine has been prescribed for you to relieve pain, suppress coughs or treat diarrhoea. It contains codeine which belongs to a class of medicines called opioids, which are ‘pain relievers’. This medicine has been prescribed to you and should not be given to anyone else. Codeine phosphate is a prescription opioid painkiller derived from the opium poppy. It is the phosphate salt form of codeine, which makes it water-soluble and easier for the body to absorb. Doctors prescribe it primarily for mild to moderate pain and, less commonly, to suppress coughs. How Codeine Phosphate Works Codeine itself is essentially a prodrug, meaning it doesn’t do much on its own. The name of your medicine is Codeine Phosphate Tablets 15 mg, 30 mg or 60 mg. The active ingredient, codeine phosphate, is an analgesic or painkilling medicine. View codeine phosphate information, including dose, uses, side-effects, renal impairment, pregnancy, breast feeding, contra-indications and important safety information. Detailed Codeine dosage information for adults. Includes dosages for Pain; plus renal, liver and dialysis adjustments. Codeine is used to manage mild to moderate pain, where treatment with an opioid is appropriate, and when other pain treatments such as non-opioid pain medicines do not treat your pain well enough or you cannot tolerate them. It is available as codeine sulfate tablets. Includes codeine side effects, interactions, and indications. Codeine Phosphate (Codeine Phosphate) may treat, side effects, dosage, drug interactions, warnings, patient labeling, reviews, and related medications including drug comparison and health resources. Find patient medical information for Codeine on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings, and user ratings NHS information about the medicine codeine, including what it's used for, who can take it, how to take it and side effects.