Last reviewed 2026-04-20 · How we verify

CODEINE SULFATE

At a glance

Approved indications

No approved indications tracked.

Boxed warnings

• WARNING: SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF CODEINE SULFATE TABLETS Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Because the use of Codeine Sulfate Tablets exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death, assess each patient’s risk prior to prescribing and reassess all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ), Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 )] . Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with use of Codeine Sulfate Tablets, especially during initiation or following a dosage increase. To reduce the risk of respiratory depression, proper dosing and titration of Codeine Sulfate Tablets are essential [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Accidental Ingestion Accidental ingestion of even one dose of Codeine Sulfate Tablets, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of codeine [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Risks From Concomitant Use With Benzodiazepines Or Other CNS Depressants Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of Codeine Sulfate Tablets and benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ), Drug Interactions ( 7 )] . Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) Advise pregnant women using opioids for an extended period of time of the risk of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated. Ensure that management by neonatology experts will be available at delivery. [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] . Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to complete a REMS-compliant education program and to counsel patients and caregivers on serious risks, safe use, and the importance of reading the Medication Guide with each prescription [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] . Ultra-Rapid Metabolism of Codeine and Other Risk Factors for Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression in Children Life-threatening respiratory depression and death have occurred in children who received codeine. Most of the reported cases occurred following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy, and many of the children had evidence of being an ultra-rapid metabolizer of codeine due to a CYP2D6 polymorphism [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )]. Codeine Sulfate Tablets are contraindicated in children younger than 12 years of age and in children younger than 18 years of age following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy [see Contraindications ( 4 )]. Avoid the use of Codeine Sulfate Tablets in adolescents 12 to 18 years of age who have other risk factors that may increase their sensitivity to the respiratory depressant effects of codeine. Interactions with Drugs Affecting Cytochrome P450 Isoenzymes The effects of concomitant use or discontinuation of cytochrome P450 3A4 inducers, 3A4 inhibitors, or 2D6 inhibitors with codeine are complex. Use of cytochrome P450 3A4 inducers, 3A4 inhibitors, or 2D6 inhibitors with Codeine Sulfate Tablets requires careful consideration of the effects on the parent drug, codeine, and the active metabolite, morphine. [See Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 ), Drug Interactions ( 7 )] . WARNING: SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF CODEINE SULFATE TABLETS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. • Codeine Sulfate Tablets exposes users to risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. Assess patient’s risk before prescribing and reassess regularly for these behaviors and conditions. ( 5.1 ) • Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur. Monitor closely, especially upon initiation or following a dosage increase. To reduce the risk of respiratory depression, proper dosing and titration of Codeine Sulfate Tablets are essential. ( 5.2 ) • Accidental ingestion of Codeine Sulfate Tablets, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of codeine. ( 5.2 ) • Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. ( 5.3 , 7 ) • Advise pregnant women using opioids for an extended period of time of the risk of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated. Ensure that management by neonatology experts will be available at delivery. ( 5.4 ) • Healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to complete a REMS-compliant education program and to counsel patients and caregivers on serious risks, safe use, and the importance of reading the Medication Guide with each prescription. ( 5.5 ) • Life-threatening respiratory depression and death have occurred in children who received codeine; most cases followed tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy and many of the children had evidence of being an ultra-rapid metabolizer of codeine due to a CYP2D6 polymorphism. ( 5.6 ) Codeine Sulfate Tablets are contraindicated in children younger than 12 years of age and in children younger than 18 years of age following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy ( 4 ). Avoid the use of Codeine Sulfate Tablets in adolescents 12 to 18 years of age who have other risk factors that may increase their sensitivity to the respiratory depressant effects of codeine. • The effects of concomitant use or discontinuation of cytochrome P450 3A4 inducers, 3A4 inhibitors, or 2D6 inhibitors with codeine are complex. Use of cytochrome P450 3A4 inducers, 3A4 inhibitors, or 2D6 inhibitors with Codeine Sulfate Tablets requires careful consideration of the effects on the parent drug, codeine, and the active metabolite, morphine. ( 5.7 , 7 )

Common side effects

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Sedation
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Constipation
• Euphoria
• Dysphoria
• Abdominal pain

Serious adverse events

• Respiratory depression
• Respiratory arrest
• Circulatory depression
• Cardiac arrest
• Shock
• Serotonin syndrome
• Anaphylaxis
• Adrenal insufficiency
• Opioid-induced esophageal dysfunction
• Opioid-involved overdose

Key clinical trials

• E7 TCR T Cells for Human Papillomavirus-Associated Cancers (PHASE1, PHASE2)
• Anesthetics and Analgesics in Children
• Sensory Effects of Oral Opioid Treatment in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain (PHASE1)
• An Artificial Intelligence Driven Approach to Optimize Patient Selection for a Transitional Pain Service (PHASE3)
• Multimodal Analgesia Strategies After Major Shoulder Ambulatory Surgery (PHASE4)
• Multimodal Analgesia Effect on Post Surgical Patient (PHASE4)
• Comparison Between Oxycodone and Pregabalin as Preemptive Analgesia (PHASE2, PHASE3)
• Analgesic Efficacy of (MSIR)/Acetaminophen vs. Oxycodone/Acetaminophen (Percocet) (PHASE2)

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.