Thiocodin – composition, indications, action and dosage of the drug for dry cough

Proven content

Thiocodin is a remedy for dry and persistent cough. The drug is available in the form of tablets and syrup. The active substance of the preparation is codeine in combination with sulfoquaiacol. Thiocodin can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription. How does Thiocodin work and when is it worth reaching for. Are there any contraindications to the use of this preparation? How to properly dose Thiocodin and is it possible to become addicted to this drug? What is worth remembering when using Thiocodin?

Thiocodin – general characteristics of the drug

Thiocodin is a drug that is used for dry and persistent cough. This preparation inhibits the cough reflex at the central level and influences the liquefaction of the secretions in the respiratory tract. Thiocodin is available by prescription in two forms:

1. syrup in a 100 ml bottle;
2. tablets in packages containing 10 or 16 pieces.

The active substances in Thiocodin are codeine and sulphoquaiacol. Each tablet and 10 ml of syrup contains 15 mg of codeine phosphate and 300 mg of sulfowaacol.

The manufacturer and entity responsible for the distribution of Thiocodin is Zakłady Farmaceutyczne “Unia”. The company has a long tradition in Poland. The history of Zakłady Farmaceutyczne “Unia” dates back to pre-war times. In 1937, at the headquarters of the Warsaw Pharmaceutical Society, the first meeting of the later founders of the Pharmacists’ Cooperative Purchasing Center took place. In January 1938, this headquarters began its activities, consisting in intermediation between manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and owners of pharmacies.

The drugs produced by Zakłady Farmaceutyczne “Unia” include: Alantan, Cepan, Nitrufurazon, Oktaseptal and Tormentalum.

Thiocodin – composition and action

Thiocodin is an over-the-counter medication whose most important ingredients are codeine and sulfoquaiacol.

Codeine, or actually codeine phosphate contained in the preparation, is a derivative of morphine with a central antitussive effect; it inhibits the cough reflex and reduces the frequency of coughing attacks. Codeine is an opioid and its maximum concentration in the blood occurs 1-2 hours after administration. The antitussive effect lasts up to 4-8 hours. Codeine is metabolized mainly in the liver and excreted in the urine in the form of glucuronides.

Sulfogayakol, on the other hand, is an expectorant drug. This compound increases the secretion of the bronchial glands by irritating the gastric mucosa (indirect action) and the bronchi (direct action). It also facilitates the movement of the liquefied secretion and its excretion from the body.

1 tablet of Thiocodin contains 15 mg of codeine phosphate hemihydrate and 300 mg of sulfowaacol. The same doses contain 10 ml of the preparation in the form of a syrup.

Thiocodin also includes excipients. In the case of the drug in tablets, these are: talc, potato starch, magnesium stearate. Thiocodin in syrup also contains: sucrose, glycerol, sodium benzoate, strawberry flavor 502301T, citric acid monohydrate, propyl parahydroxybenzoate and purified water.

Thiocodin – indications

The active substances contained in Thiocodin have antitussive and expectorant properties. Therefore, the indication for Thiocodin is the treatment of dry, persistent cough without expectoration.

How do I choose the best dry cough syrup? Check: Dry cough syrup – how to choose the best one? What are the most common causes of dry cough? How to distinguish between a dry and a wet cough?

Thiocodin – contraindications

Despite its high effectiveness, Thiocodin cannot be used by all patients who struggle with a dry cough. The list of contraindications to the use of Thiocodin is very long. Among the most important contraindications should be noted:

1. allergic to codeine phosphate hemihydrate, sulfoquaiacol or any of the other ingredients of this medicine;
2. diagnosed with bronchial asthma;
3. diagnosed respiratory failure (breathing difficulties, e.g. shortness of breath, slower and / or irregular breathing, emphysema);
4. the patient’s state of coma;
5. diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (a genetic disease where mucus is excessively sticky);
6. diagnosed bronchiectasis (chronic bronchitis manifested by coughing up large amounts of discharge);
7. addiction of the patient to alcohol;
8. the patient’s addiction to opioids (morphine, heroin);
9. age of the patient – the drug should not be given to children under 12 years of age;
10. information that the patient’s metabolism of codeine to morphine is very fast,
11. the patient’s pregnancy;
12. the period of breastfeeding,
13. when the patient coughs up (as this medicine suppresses the cough reflex and there may be an excessive retention of secretions in the airways);
14. the patient’s current monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or if they have been taking such drugs in the last 14 days.

Thiocodin – precautions

Before and during the use of Thiocodin, you should follow the precautions, which are included in the package leaflet.

Precautions to keep in mind include:

1. the syrup contains sucrose (a type of sugar). If you have been diagnosed with an intolerance to some sugars, consult your doctor before taking the drug;
2. 10 ml of syrup contains 6 g of sucrose. This should be taken into account in patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes;
3. the drug contains sodium benzoate, which may irritate the mucous membranes;
4. the drug contains propyl parahydroxybenzoate and may cause allergic reactions (possible delayed-type reactions);
5. the drug should be taken orally with meals. You should drink at least 2 liters of fluids during the day. This will make it easier to cough up the mucus;
6. if the cough does not stop after 3 days of using the drug or you experience high body temperature, skin rash or headache, contact your doctor;
7. overuse of Thiocodin can lead to addiction;
8. withdrawal symptoms may occur if you abuse this drug and stop using it suddenly;
9. in people practicing sports, Thiocodin may cause a positive result in doping tests;
10. the drug should be kept out of the sight and reach of children, in the original packaging, at a temperature below 25 degrees Celsius;
11. the medicine should not be used after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month;
12. this medicine should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. It’s best to ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer use.

Thiocodin – dosage

Always use Thiocodin exactly as described in the package leaflet or as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

The correct dose for Thiocodin tablets for adults and adolescents over 12 years of age is one tablet taken three times a day. The drug should not be taken more often than every 4 to 6 hours. The tablets should be taken orally, preferably with meals. The tablet should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.

The correct dosage of Thiocodin syrup for adults and adolescents from 12 years of age is 1 scoop, i.e. 10 ml of syrup taken three times a day. In this case, an interval of about 4-6 hours should also be kept between successive doses.

It is not recommended to use doses higher than recommended. In order to achieve the desired effectiveness of the product, you should drink a sufficient amount of fluids throughout the day (at least 2 liters).

Thiocodin – withdrawal symptoms and drug overdose

The codeine contained in Thiocodin is an opioid drug, therefore its prolonged or excessive use may be addictive. It is also worth noting that discontinuation of Thiocodin after the recommended duration of use (3 days) does not cause withdrawal symptoms.

In contrast, drug abuse carries a risk of developing addiction and side effects when abruptly discontinued. Possible withdrawal symptoms include:

1. insomnia and difficulty falling asleep;
2. anxiety, mood swings, irritability, agitation, trouble concentrating;
3. muscle tremors, muscle and joint pain;
4. watery eyes, pupil dilation;
5. yawning;
6. sweating, pale skin and mucous membranes, palpitations, headaches;
7. gastrointestinal symptoms – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite.

Thiocodin – side effects

Thiocodin, like any other drug, may cause side effects in patients. It is important to report any suspected adverse reactions after authorization of the medicinal product so that the benefit / risk balance of the medicinal product can be monitored.

The frequency classification of adverse body reactions (ADRs) is based on the following principles: very common (≥1 / 10), common (≥1 / 100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1 / 1 to <000/1), rare (≥ 100 / 1 to <10 / 000), very rare (<1 / 1), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

The side effects that may occur with Thiocodin include those that are very common and uncommon.

Very common side effects (affects more than 1 in 10 patients):

1. nausea and vomiting;
2. constipation;
3. dizziness;
4. satisfaction.

Uncommon side effects (affecting less than 1 in 100 patients):

1. allergic reactions (itching, hives, rash, skin eczema);
2. sudden changes in mood (excessive joy or sadness);
3. breathing problems (decreased breathing rate and shallow, irregular breathing);
4. bronchospasm;
5. palpitations;
6. drop in blood pressure and fainting;
7. somnolence;
8. constriction of the pupils;
9. urinary retention;
10. headaches;
11. severe abdominal pain (mainly affects patients after the gallbladder has been removed);
12. decreased appetite;
13. excessive sweating;
14. hallucinations (perception of things that are not there);
15. visual and hearing disorders;
16. irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa, the symptoms of which may include stomach pains.

Thiocodin – interactions with other drugs

Before taking Thiocodin, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the drugs you are taking or have recently taken, and about any drugs you plan to take in the near future. This is extremely important as the active substances in Thiocodin may interact with other medicinal products.

Thiocodin cannot be used simultaneously with preparations such as:

1. anxiolytics — chloropromazyna, diazepam, temazepam;
2. antidepressants – monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as, for example, moclobemide or tricyclic antidepressants, such as, for example, amitriptyline, and within 14 days after stopping these drugs;
3. antihistamines – drugs used, among others in allergic diseases;
4. hypnotics — diazepam, temazepam;
5. cytostatics – drugs for the treatment of cancer;
6. opioid painkillers – morphine, heroin;
7. Skeletal muscle relaxants — diazepam, tetrazepam i temazepam;
8. clonidine – a drug used to treat high blood pressure;
9. medications for Parkinson’s disease — lewodopa, selegilina;
10. metoclopramide – a drug with an antiemetic effect and stimulating intestinal peristalsis;
11. chinidyna – a drug used to treat heart rhythm problems;
12. antibiotic – ryfampicyna;
13. drugs containing alcohol.

Thiocodin and pregnancy and breastfeeding

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the patient should not take any medication without consulting a doctor first.

The use of Thiocodin is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Codeine and morphine pass into breast milk.

The following symptoms have been reported in babies who are breastfed by patients taking Thiocodin:

1. apathy;
2. feeding problems;
3. apnea;
4. coma;
5. cerebral infarction.

Thiocodin — cena

The price of the drug Thiocodin may differ depending on the city in which the antitussive preparation will be purchased or the selected pharmacy. The price of the product also depends on the form of the drug and the number of tablets in the package. It can be estimated that the average price for a pack of Thiocodin is:

1. Thiocodin 10 tablets – approx. 8 zlotys;
2. Thiocodin 16 tablets – approx. PLN 11;
3. Thiocodin 100 ml of syrup – about 8 zlotys.