The Drug Codeine :: essays research papers

The Drug CodeineWe intentiond several different sources to gather our information. We go informationfrom Jay Moser and Sue Peterson, our deuce local pharmacists. We researchedmedical encyclopedias, journals, and magazines. Codeine is known medically asmethylmorphine. It is a medicate derived from opium, a poppy plant. It wasdiscovered in 1832 by French chemist Pierre-Jean Robiquet. Codeine constitutesabout 0.5 to 2.5 per centum of this plant substance. The drug has been in use sincethe early 1900s and it shares most of the pharmacologic characteristics ofmorphine, the other alkaloid in opium. Codeine is classified as a narcotic, ithas the same painkiller publication as morphine but is only one-sixth to one-tenth asstrong. Codeine occurs as a colorless or white crystals or as a white,crystalline powder and is slightly soluble in water and freely soluble inalcohol. The phosphate and sulfate salts of codeine occur as white, needle-shaped crystals or white, crystalline powders. Why i s it used? Codeine is mostuseful in the relief of mild to moderate pain. It is also used as a cough allaybecause it suppresses the part of the brain that triggers coughing, and as ananti-diarrheal drug, because it slows down muscle contractions in the intestinalwall. There are possible wayward effects. The most frequently observed indecorousreactions include lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, andsweating. These effects seem to be more prominent in ambulatory patients and inthose who are not suffering severe pain. Other adverse reactions include thefollowing (1) Central Nervous System- Euphoria, dysphoria, weakness, headache,insomnia, agitation, disorientation, and visual disturbances. (2)Gastrointestinal- Dry mouth, anorexia, constipation, and biliary tract spasm.(3) Cardiovascular- Flushing of the face, abnormally slow heartbeat, faintness,and syncope. (4) Genitourinary- Urinary retention of hesitancy, anti-diureticeffect. (5) Allergic- skin rashes.Most drug manufactors list specific warnings to be aware of when taking codeine.(1) Codeine sulfate can produce drug dependence of the morphine type, andtherefore has the potential for being treat psychic dependence, physicaldependence and tolerance may develop upon repeated administration of Codeine.(2) Codeine may impair the mental and or physical abilities required for the instruction execution of potentially hazardous tasks such as driving a car or operatingmachinery. (3) Patients receiving other narcotic painkillers, generalanesthetics, tranquilizers, or other exchange nervous system depressants,including alcohol with codeine may exhibit an additive central nervous systemdepression. Who shouldnt take codeine? Pregnant women should not use codeinebecause safe use in pregnancy has not been established. Children below the ageof three shouldnt be given this drug for that age group hasnt been established.Codeine should be given with caution to real patients such as the elderly or