Dosage should be adjusted according to severity of pain and response of the patient.
The usual adult dosage is:
Single Doses (range)
Maximum 24 Hour Dose
Codeine Phosphate
15 mg to 60 mg
360 mg
Acetaminophen
300 mg to 1000 mg
4000 mg
The usual dose of codeine phosphate in children is 0.5 mg/kg.
Doses may be repeated up to every 4 hours.
The prescriber must determine the number of tablets per dose, and the maximum number of tablets per 24 hours based upon the above dosage guidance. This information should be conveyed in the prescription.
It should be kept in mind, however, that tolerance to codeine 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 but merely prolong analgesia and are associated with an appreciably increased incidence of undesirable side effects. Equivalently high doses in children would have similar effects.