The Drug Codeine :: essays research papers

The Drug CodeineWe habituated several different sources to gather our info. We go informationfrom Jay Moser and Sue Peterson, our two local pharmacists. We researchedmedical encyclopedias, journals, and magazines. Codeine is known medically asmethyl morphine. It is a drug derived from opium, a poppy plant. It wasdiscovered in 1832 by french chemist Pierre-Jean Robiquet. Codeine constitutesabout 0.5 to 2.5 percent of this plant substance. The drug has been in put on 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 effect as morphine notwithstanding is only one-sixth to one-tenth asstrong. Codeine occurs as a colorless or white crystals or as a white, gauze-like disintegrate 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. W hy is it used? Codeine is mostuseful in the relief of fruity to moderate pain. It is also used as a cough touch onbecause it suppresses the part of the brain that triggers coughing, and as ananti-diarrheal drug, because it slows down muscle contractions in the enteralwall. There are possible adverse effects. The most frequently notice adversereactions include lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, andsweating. These effects seem to be more bombastic in ambulatory patients and inthose who are not suffering impish pain. Other adverse reactions include thefollowing (1) Central Nervous System- Euphoria, dysphoria, weakness, headache,insomnia, agitation, disorientation, and ocular 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.Mos t drug manufactors list specific warnings to be alive(predicate) of when taking codeine.(1) Codeine sulfate can produce drug dependance of the morphine type, andtherefore has the potential for being abused psychic dependence, physicaldependence and tolerance may develop upon repeated administration of Codeine.(2) Codeine may bollocks up the mental and or physical abilities required for theperformance of potentially unsteady tasks such as driving a car or operating(a)machinery. (3) Patients receiving other narcotic painkillers, generalanesthetics, tranquilizers, or other central noisome system depressants,including alcohol with codeine may exhibit an additive central sickish 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 tending to certain patients such as the elderly or