Pholcodine Pharmacology

Pholcodine

About Pholcodine
A semi-synthetic opioid alkaloid , Antitussive.
Mechanism of Action of Pholcodine
Pholcodine citrate is a longer acting opioid antitussive drug which raises threshold of cough centre and suppresses the cough reflex. It selectively and directly acts on cough centre and suppresses cough. It is devoid of addicting actions.
Pharmacokinets of Pholcodine
Absorption: Well absorbed orally, Distribution: Widely distributed in the body, Metabolism: Metabolized in liver.
Onset of Action for Pholcodine
N/A
Duration of Action for Pholcodine
more than12 hours
Half Life of Pholcodine
32 to 43 hours
Side Effects of Pholcodine
1. Nausea
2.Drowsiness
3.Dizziness
4.Constipation
5.Rashes
6.Sputum retention.
Contra-indications of Pholcodine
1. Hypersensitivity to the drug
2.Patients with severely decreased respiratory reserve
3.Patients currently taking MAO inhibitors or within two weeks of discontinuing MAO inhibitors.
Special Precautions while taking Pholcodine
1.Renal impairment
2.Hepatic impairment
3.Breathing problems or pulmonary disorders
4.Persistent cough requires medical supervision
5.Avoid alcohol
6.Along with sedative drugs
Pregnancy Related Information
Contraindicated
Old Age Related Information
Use with caution
Breast Feeding Related Information
Use with caution
Children Related Information
May be used
Children (below 1year): Contraindicated
Indications for Pholcodine
1. Nonproductive cough.
Interactions for Pholcodine
N/A
Typical Dosage for Pholcodine
Available as 5mg/5ml syrup and 2mg/5ml (Pediatric syrup)
Oral:
Adults: 10 to 15mg twice daily
Children (6 to12years): 2 to 4mg thrice daily. Do not exceed more than 10mg in 24 hours.
Children (1 to6years): 2mg thrice daily. Do not exceed more than 6mg in 24 hours
Schedule of Pholcodine
H
Storage Requirements for Pholcodine
Store at room temperature below 30 degree C. Protect from light. Keep out of reach of children.
Effects of Missed Dosage of Pholcodine
Take the missed dose as soon as noticed and if it is the time for next dose then skip the missed dose. Continue the regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Effects of Overdose of Pholcodine
Establish adequate respiratory exchange via a patent airway and ventilation as needed. Administer opioid antagonist Naloxone to reverse respiratory depression use repeatedly as required. (Naloxone shouldn`t be administered unless patient has clinically significant respiratory or cardiovascular depression.). Closely monitor vital parameters and correct fluid and electrolyte balance. Provide symptomatic and supportive treatment.

Home Delivery for Pholcodine in Your City

Medicine India is just a publishing medium for medicine related information and does not provide services or sales of medicines including pholcodine.

However, we do publish a comprehensive directory of Pharmacies, Chemists and Druggists in cities all over India. You can use this directory to find the medicine stores in your city (or area) that provide home delivery services for pholcodine and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for pholcodine may be free or they may cost you depending on the pharmacy and the minimum order requirements. It would be best to get this clarified while placing the order.

Please be aware that you should take pholcodine only if a doctor has recommended or prescribed it. Some or all pharmacies who provide a home delivery service for medicines might insist on a prescription for pholcodine before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for pholcodine with the pharmacy.

Pholcodine is a generic medicine name and there are several brands available for it. Some of the brands for pholcodine might be better known than pholcodine itself. If the pharmacy that's willing to deliver medicines to your home doesn't have pholcodine in stock, you can ask for one of the branded alternatives for pholcodine.