Codeine Dosage
This dosage information may not include all the information needed to use Codeine safely and effectively. See additional information for Codeine.
The information at Drugs.com is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Usual Adult Dose for:
Usual Geriatric Dose for:
Usual Pediatric Dose for:
Additional dosage information:
Usual Adult Dose for Cough
Initial dose: 15 mg orally every 6 hours as necessary.
May titrate up to 20 mg every 4 hours.
Maximum 120 mg/day.
Usual Adult Dose for Pain
Initial dose: 30 mg orally, IM, subcutaneously, or IV every 6 hours as necessary. May titrate dose to achieve desired analgesic effect. Doses up to 60 mg orally, IM, subcutaneously, or IV every 4 hours have been used.
Usual Geriatric Dose for Cough
Initial dose: 10 mg orally every 6 hours as necessary.
May titrate cautiously up to 20 mg every 4 hours.
Maximum 120 mg/day.
Usual Geriatric Dose for Pain
Initial dose: 15 mg orally, IM, subcutaneously, or IV every 6 hours as necessary. May titrate dose to achieve desired analgesic effect. Doses up to 60 mg orally, IM, subcutaneously, or IV every 4 hours have been used.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Cough
2-6 years: 2.5 to 5 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours.
Maximum 30 mg/day.
6-12 years: 5 to 10 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours.
Maximum 60 mg/day.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Pain
>=1 years: 0.5 mg/kg or 15 mg/m2 orally, IM, or subcutaneously every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
Renal Dose Adjustments
Cough - CrCl < 80 mL/min: Initial dose: 10 mg orally every 6 hours as necessary. May titrate cautiously up to 20 mg every 4 hours. Maximum 120 mg/day.
Pain - CrCl < 80 mL/min: Initial dose: 15 mg orally, IM, subcutaneously, or IV every 6 hours as necessary. May titrate dose to achieve desired analgesic effect. Doses up to 60 mg orally, IM, subcutaneously, or IV every 4 hours have been used.
Liver Dose Adjustments
Initial dose: 10 mg orally every 6 hours as necessary.
May titrate cautiously up to 20 mg every 4 hours.
Maximum 120 mg/day.
Dose Adjustments
The dosage necessary for an antitussive effect is usually less than that for an analgesic effect.
Other Comments
The IM and subcutaneous routes are generally preferred to the IV route if a parenteral route must be used. The IM and subcutaneous routes may carry a decreased risk of respiratory depression and hypotension compared to the IV route.
