Pholcodine is indicated as a cough suppressant for the temporary relief of non-productive dry cough. It is stated to present a required label indication of "temporary relief of dry cough". Cough is the respiratory movement that occurs after an irritation signal is transmitted to the central nervous system and further stimulates the medulla oblongata. This stimulation causes a motor output that is sent through motoneurons to the respiratory muscles. A non-productive cough is a type of cough characterized by the absence of sputum, and it has a large inspiration that will cause continuous coughing.

Pholcodine is an anti-tussive agent that acts primarily on the CNS, causing depression of the cough reflex. It has mild sedative effect with little or no analgesic action.

Adult: 

• Symptomatic relief of non-productive cough: 5-10 mg 3-4 times daily.

Child: 

• 12-18 year: 5-10 mg 3-4 times daily.
• 6-12 year: 2-5 mg 3-4 times daily.
• Children under the age of 6 year: Not to be used

May be taken with or without food.

Not to be used with MAOI or within 14 days of stopping treatment. May enhance sedative effect of alcohol and other CNS depressants e.g. sedatives, hypnotics, barbiturates, narcotic analgesics, phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants. Hypotensive effect may be enhanced when used with antihypertensive agents and diuretics. Interaction with neuromuscular blocking agent has been reported.

Patients in, or at risk of developing respiratory failure. Chronic bronchitis, COPD, bronchiolitis, and bronchiectasis due to sputum retention. Concurrent or recent use (within preedicing 14 days) of MAOIs. Children <6 yr

Dizziness, occasional drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, rash, sputum retention, excitation, confusion, ataxia.

Category not classified

Renal and/or hepatic impairment. Caution in patients with impaired respiratory function and asthma. May cause occasional drowsiness, caution when driving or operating machinery. Pregnancy and lactation.

Symptoms: Drowsiness, nausea, restlessness, excitement, ataxia and respiratory depression.

Management: Provide symptomatic and supportive treatment. Maintain respiration; may use activated charcoal or gastric lavage to remove the ingested Pholcodine. In cases of severe overdosage, naloxone may be given to reverse the central and peripheral opioid effects.

Cough suppressant

Store below 25° C.