{"id":4941,"date":"2026-07-31T07:17:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T07:17:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peptoscience.com\/?post_type=product&p=4941"},"modified":"2026-07-31T07:17:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T07:17:36","slug":"codeine-linctus","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/peptoscience.com\/de\/product\/codeine-linctus\/","title":{"rendered":"Codeine Linctus"},"content":{"rendered":"

Codeine Linctus<\/a><\/h1>\n
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What is Codeine Linctus?<\/h3>\n

Codeine Linctus<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>(also known as Codeine Phosphate Linctus or Codeine Syrup) is a prescription-only oral liquid medication primarily used as a cough suppressant (antitussive). It’s formulated as a syrup containing\u00a0codeine phosphate<\/strong>\u00a0(typically 15 mg per 5 mL dose) dissolved in a sweetened, flavored vehicle, often with ingredients like glycerol, citric acid, and preservatives.<\/p>\n

Key Uses<\/h4>\n
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  • Dry, irritating cough<\/strong>: Suppresses the cough reflex in the brain’s medulla oblongata, providing relief for non-productive coughs (e.g., due to colds, flu, or upper respiratory infections).<\/li>\n
  • Occasional mild pain relief<\/strong>: Codeine is a weak opioid analgesic, so it’s sometimes used for short-term pain management.<\/li>\n
  • Not for productive (chesty) coughs<\/strong>: It can thicken mucus and worsen conditions like bronchitis or pneumonia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    How It Works<\/h4>\n

    Codeine is a prodrug metabolized in the liver by the enzyme CYP2D6 into\u00a0morphine<\/strong>, which acts on mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system to:<\/p>\n

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    • Reduce cough reflex sensitivity.<\/li>\n
    • Provide mild analgesia and sedation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      About 5-10% of people are “poor metabolizers” due to CYP2D6 genetics, experiencing little effect.<\/p>\n

      Dosage (Adults, Typical)<\/h4>\n
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      • Standard dose<\/strong>: 5-10 mL (15-30 mg codeine) every 4-6 hours, max 4 doses\/day (120 mg total).<\/li>\n
      • Children<\/strong>: Not recommended under 12; restricted use in 12-18 due to risks.<\/li>\n
      • Always follow prescriber instructions; shake well before use.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
        \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        Age Group<\/th>\nRecommended Dose<\/th>\nMax Daily<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
        Adults (18+)<\/td>\n5-10 mL q4-6h<\/td>\n40 mL (120 mg)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Children 12-18<\/td>\n2.5-5 mL q6h (if prescribed)<\/td>\n20 mL<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Under 12<\/td>\nNot recommended<\/td>\nN\/A<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
        \n

        Side Effects<\/h4>\n

        Common<\/strong>\u00a0(5-10% of users):<\/p>\n

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        • Drowsiness, dizziness, constipation.<\/li>\n
        • Nausea, dry mouth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Serious<\/strong>\u00a0(seek medical help):<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

          \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
          Side Effect<\/th>\nSymptoms<\/th>\nRisk Factors<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
          Respiratory depression<\/td>\nSlow\/shallow breathing<\/td>\nOverdose, asthma, elderly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          Addiction\/dependence<\/td>\nCravings, tolerance<\/td>\nLong-term use<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          Serotonin syndrome<\/td>\nAgitation, fever (with SSRIs)<\/td>\nDrug interactions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          Allergic reaction<\/td>\nRash, swelling<\/td>\nRare<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
          \n

          Warnings & Contraindications<\/h4>\n
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          • Opioid risks<\/strong>: High abuse potential; classified as a controlled substance (Schedule 5 in UK, Schedule II\/III elsewhere). Overdose can cause coma\/death\u2014naloxone reverses it.<\/li>\n
          • Do not use with<\/strong>: Alcohol, sedatives, other opioids (e.g., tramadol), MAOIs, or in acute asthma\/COPD.<\/li>\n
          • Pregnancy\/Breastfeeding<\/strong>: Avoid (passes into milk, risks neonatal sedation).<\/li>\n
          • Driving<\/strong>: Impairs; avoid until effects known.<\/li>\n
          • Overdose symptoms<\/strong>: Pinpoint pupils, confusion, blue lips\u2014call emergency services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Availability & Regulations<\/h4>\n
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            • Prescription-only<\/strong>\u00a0in most countries (e.g., UK, US, Australia). Not OTC due to opioid status.<\/li>\n
            • UK specifics<\/strong>: BP (British Pharmacopoeia) formulation; “Codeine Linctus BP 15 mg\/5 mL”.<\/li>\n
            • Alternatives<\/strong>: Dextromethorphan (e.g., Robitussin DM) for non-opioid cough relief; guaifenesin for expectorants.<\/li>\n
            • Street misuse<\/strong>: Sometimes abused for euphoria (“lean” with soda), but pure linctus is dilute.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Evidence & Sources<\/h4>\n
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              • Supported by NICE guidelines (UK) for short-term cough suppression.<\/li>\n
              • Studies (e.g., Cochrane Review 2014): Modest efficacy vs. placebo for cough; better for nocturnal relief.<\/li>\n
              • FDA\/EMA warnings emphasize risks post-2017 codeine restrictions in kids.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Consult a doctor\/pharmacist before use<\/strong>. This is general info\u2014not medical advice. If you have symptoms or need sourcing, see a healthcare professional.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                Codeine Linctus What is Codeine Linctus? Codeine Linctus\u00a0(also known as Codeine Phosphate Linctus or Codeine Syrup) is a prescription-only oral liquid medication primarily used as…<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":4971,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"etheme_brands":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[15],"product_tag":[197],"class_list":["post-4941","product","type-product","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","product_cat-uncategorized","product_tag-codeine-linctus","first","instock","shipping-taxable","purchasable","product-type-variable"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/peptoscience.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/4941","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/peptoscience.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/peptoscience.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peptoscience.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4941"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/peptoscience.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/4941\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4972,"href":"https:\/\/peptoscience.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/4941\/revisions\/4972"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peptoscience.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4971"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/peptoscience.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4941"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peptoscience.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/etheme_brands?post=4941"},{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peptoscience.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=4941"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peptoscience.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=4941"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peptoscience.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=4941"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}