What it means
An opioid analgesicOH-pee-oyd an-ul-JEE-zikA strong drug that relieves moderate to severe pain by acting on the brain and spinal cord.Full entry often combined with acetaminophenuh-see-tuh-MIN-uh-fenA drug that relieves mild to moderate pain and lowers fever.Full entry (as in Tylenol with Codeine) or in cough syrups. The liver changes part of it into morphineMOR-feenA strong opioid drug used to relieve moderate to severe pain.Full entry . Some people change it very quickly ("ultra-rapid metabolizers") and can get dangerous levels of morphine, which has caused deaths in children. For this reason it is not used in children under 12, or for pain after tonsil or adenoid surgery in anyone under 18, and is avoided while breastfeeding. Side effects are those of other opioids: constipation, drowsiness, nausea and slow breathing.
For the nurse
Check pain, respiratory rate and sedation. Prevent constipation with fluids, fiber and stool softeners as ordered. Count the acetaminophen in combination products toward the daily limit.
At a glance
| Drug class | opioid agonist; antitussive |
|---|---|
| Brand names | with acetaminophen: Tylenol with Codeine |
| Spanish | codeína |
Related terms
opioid analgesic
A strong drug that relieves moderate to severe pain by acting on the brain and spinal cord.
morphine
A strong opioid drug used to relieve moderate to severe pain.
antitussive
A drug that reduces coughing.