Question

The doctor orders codeine grain ss p.o. q 6 hours p.r.n. for pain. Dose on hand is codeine 30 mg/tablet.
a. How many tablets will you administer for each dose?
b. How often can you give the medication?
c. What is the maximum amount the patient can receive in a 24 hour period? (state in mg and grain)

Answer 1

a. I will administer 1 tablet because The usual adult dosage for tablets is 15 mg to 60 mg. The initial dose should be titrated based upon the individual patient's response to their initial dose of codeine. This dose can then be adjusted to an acceptable level of analgesia taking into account the improvement in pain intensity and the tolerability of the codeine by the patient.

It should be kept in mind, however, that tolerance to codeine sulfate can develop with continued use and that the incidence of untoward effects is dose-related. Adult doses of codeine higher than 60 mg fail to give commensurate relief of pain and are associated with an appreciably increased incidence of undesirable side effects

b. For treating pain: adults usually take one or two 30mg tablets every 4 hours

c. The maximum 24 hour dose is 360 mg or 5.55 grains