CODEINE

Use

Codeine is an alkaloid that occurs naturally in opium, butthe amount present is usually too small to be of commercialimportance. Consequently, most commercial codeine is preparedfrom morphine by methylating the phenolic OHgroup. It occurs as levorotatory, colorless, efflorescent crystals,or as a white crystalline powder. It is light sensitive.Codeine is a monoacidic base and readily forms salts withacids, with the most important being the sulfate and thephosphate. The acetate and methylbromide derivatives havebeen used to a limited extent in cough preparations.The general pharmacological action of codeine is similarto that of morphine, but it does not possess the sameanalgesic potency.