codeine

[ koh-deen ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline, slightly bitter alkaloid, C 18 H 21 NO 3 , obtained from opium, used in medicine chiefly as an analgesic or sedative and to inhibit coughing.

codeine

/ ˈkəʊdiːn /

noun

1. a white crystalline alkaloid prepared mainly from morphine and having a similar but milder action. It is used as an analgesic, an antidiarrhoeal, and to relieve coughing. Formula: C 18 H 21 NO 3

codeine

/ kō′dēn′ /

1. An alkaloid narcotic derived from opium or morphine and used primarily as an analgesic and a cough suppressant. Chemical formula: C 18 H 21 NO 3 .

codeine

1. A drug obtained from opium or morphine that is used as a pain reliever and cough remedy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of codeine¹

1830–40; < Greek kṓde ( ia ) head, poppy-head + -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of codeine¹

C19: from Greek kōdeia head of a poppy, from kōos hollow place + -ine ²

Example Sentences

Parker, who is 34, was transported to the hospital in an ambulance and was given a week’s worth of the opiate codeine as part of his treatment.

From The Daily Beast

“Well, it’s codeine,” the doctor replied, according to Parker.

From The Daily Beast

Some metabolize codeine quite poorly and have inadequate pain control as a result.

From The Daily Beast

Codeine should not have been prescribed for these patients because its metabolism in children varies widely from person to person.

From The Daily Beast

Hundreds of thousands of kids were given codeine during ER visits from 2001 to 2010, despite warnings of its danger.

From The Daily Beast

Because of the wide variability in codeine metabolism, its use as a cough suppressant is not recommended.

From The Daily Beast

“Junk,” we learn, refers to opium and its derivatives: morphine, heroin, pantopon, Dilaudid, codeine.

From The Daily Beast

In 1832 Robiquet discovered codeine; and in 1833 atropine, aconitine, and hyoscyamine were distinguished by Geiger and Hesse.

From Project Gutenberg

Other salts of Codeine are not described because used substantially as the above.

From Project Gutenberg

Morphine is the chief active principle, and codeine and heroin are the chief derivatives of morphine.

From Project Gutenberg

Codeine is one eighth the strength of morphine; heroin is three times as strong as morphine.

From Project Gutenberg

Codeine is a mild hypnotic which may be used in doses about twice as large as those of morphine.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• drug
• heroin
• morphine
• opiate
• poppy