codeine
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Wikipedia.
codeine
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: C18H21NO3
Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
codeine
[′kō‚dēn] (pharmacology)
C18H21NO3 An alkaloid prepared from morphine; used as mild analgesic and cough suppressant.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.
Codeine
an alkaloid contained in opium. Codeine is similar to morphine in chemical structure; however, its analgesic effect is less powerful. It relieves irritability of the coughing center. Codeine or codeine phosphate is prescribed for coughs. It is administered in the form of tablets or powders, mixed with sugar, sodium hydrocarbonate, terpin hydrate, thermopsis, and licorice powder. Codeine, in combination with soporifics and bromide preparations, is used as a sedative. Codeine is not prescribed for children. Prolonged use of codeine may cause addiction.
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.