Codivis

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Codivis

Method of action: Antispasmodic, Antitussive, Sedative

Treatment option:

Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Codivis

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active Ingredient Codeine, Phenyltoloxamine
Form Oral tablet, Syrup
Pharmacological Class Opioid Analgesic, H₁-Antihistamine
Common Use Symptom relief (cough and pain)
Origin Semi-synthetic (Codeine), Synthetic (Phenyltoloxamine)

What Type of Medicine is Codivis?

Codivis is a specialized fixed-dose combination product intended for oral administration, formally classified as an opioid analgesic and a first-generation H₁-antihistamine combination. This preparation is designed to deliver two distinct therapeutic agents simultaneously, ensuring coordinated action against specific symptoms. The medicine is typically supplied as an oral tablet or a syrup, which allows flexibility in patient delivery. This specific combination is often clinically recognized for its targeted efficacy in managing discomfort related to persistent coughing and irritation.

Composition and Origin of the Active Ingredients

The Codivis formulation contains two primary active ingredients: Codeine and Phenyltoloxamine, commonly incorporated as their respective salts, such as Codeine phosphate and Phenyltoloxamine citrate. Codeine is categorized as a semi-synthetic alkaloid, derived from morphine, a natural substance found in the opium poppy, but requiring chemical modification for its final form. Conversely, Phenyltoloxamine is a wholly synthetic chemical compound. The inclusion of both a centrally-acting agent and an antihistamine is a key characteristic of this combination product.

What is the Overall Purpose of the Codivis Combination?

The general purpose of the Codivis combination is to achieve the simultaneous management of specific discomfort through its dual mechanism of action. Codeine contributes its primary function as a prodrug and antitussive by acting on the central nervous system to suppress the cough reflex and modulate the perception of mild pain. Phenyltoloxamine complements this by providing anti-allergic properties and offering a sedative effect. The antitussive effects of codeine work by decreasing the activity in the cough center. This coordinated action is intended to provide comprehensive symptomatic relief for irritation and persistent cough, facilitating rest and comfort.

Regulatory References

  1. MedlinePlus Drug Information
  2. NIH Bookshelf Codeine

What side effects are possible with Codivis?

Adverse Effects and Safety Profile

Codivis, an opioid pain reliever, carries serious risks inherent to its class. Regulatory warnings center on the potential for Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. As a controlled substance, its use requires careful monitoring for signs of dependence.

Key Adverse Reactions and Warnings

Category Common Reactions Serious/Clinically Significant Reactions
Gastrointestinal Constipation (may persist), Nausea, Vomiting (may diminish) Gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus
Nervous/CNS Drowsiness, Dizziness, Sedation Life-threatening Respiratory Depression, Seizures, Serotonin Syndrome
Other Sweating, Pruritis (itching), Decreased sexual desire Adrenal Insufficiency, Severe Hypotension, Fetal Harm (Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome)

Safety-Related Restrictions

The use of Codivis is contraindicated in several populations due to increased risk of serious harm, particularly respiratory depression:

  • Children: Not approved for pain or cough treatment in patients younger than 12 years of age. It is also not recommended for adolescents aged 12 to 18 who have other breathing risks (e.g., obesity, obstructive sleep apnea).
  • Breastfeeding Women: Use is not recommended due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in the infant, including excess sleepiness and breathing problems.
  • Other Contraindications: Patients with significant respiratory depression, acute or severe bronchial asthma (in an unmonitored setting), and known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction (including paralytic ileus).

Cautions are also noted for patients with liver or kidney impairment, as these conditions can alter drug elimination and increase exposure.

Note on Metabolism: The drug's effect relies on conversion to morphine by the CYP2D6 enzyme. Individuals who are ultra-rapid metabolizers may convert the drug too quickly, leading to dangerously high blood morphine levels and a higher risk of toxicity, including fatal respiratory depression.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose Manifestations and Severe Outcomes

Official regulatory documents state that an overdose of this combination product may present with severe manifestations of Central Nervous System (CNS) depression, including profound somnolence, stupor, or coma. The primary life-threatening risk documented is respiratory depression, characterized by shallow respiration, bradypnea, and potential apnea. Physiological signs of overdose can include pinpoint pupils (miosis), skeletal muscle flaccidity, and cold, clammy skin. Due to the combination of active ingredients, clinical presentation may also involve anticholinergic effects such as agitation, tachycardia, or seizures.

Officially documented severe outcomes include circulatory collapse, severe hypotension, and cardiac arrest. Population-specific considerations note increased susceptibility to severe effects in both pediatric and elderly patients.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Help

Immediate medical attention is officially required for any suspected overdose or when symptoms of CNS depression or respiratory compromise are observed. Regulatory guidance mandates contacting emergency medical services or a poison control center immediately.

Supportive Measures and Antidote Status

Management procedures described in regulatory labeling include symptomatic and supportive treatment, along with continuous monitoring of vital signs. Naloxone is the documented pharmacological reversal agent available specifically for the life-threatening respiratory effects caused by the opioid component; however, official labeling states that no specific antidote is known for the antihistamine component.

Therapeutic Uses of Codivis

What Codivis Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

The Codivis combination is commonly used across conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms where supportive symptom management is appropriate. The action against coughs is applied in addressing symptoms related to heightened physiological activity that are irritating. The formulation provides support that helps ease the overall symptom burden of these disruptive manifestations. The combination is used for managing symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive.

The formulation is applied in scenarios where additional management of discomfort is required, such as when symptoms that interfere with daily functioning cluster into patterns that disrupt rest. The combination contributes to easing the overall symptom load and supports the patient during difficult episodes by easing distress, which contributes to improved comfort and supports general well-being during symptomatic phases. This formulation is relevant for easing discomfort associated with persistent cough, minor aches, and general discomfort.

“This medicine is commonly used when symptoms cluster into patterns requiring supportive management, and contributes to improved comfort during periods of heightened symptoms.”


Quick Fact: Relief for Cough and Discomfort

The medicine provides supportive relief when symptoms interfere with routine activities, such as irritating coughs and mild bodily discomfort that affect general stability during acute illnesses.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility Map: Who can and cannot use Codivis — official regulatory information

The eligibility profile for Codivis is governed by strict regulatory rules, primarily due to the Codeine component, as defined by authorities like the FDA and EMA. Use is determined by age, metabolic status, respiratory health, and physiological state.


Eligibility scope

Category Official Regulatory Status
Populations for whom use is allowed Adults (18 years and older); Children 12 years and older (under specific conditions).
Populations for whom use is not recommended Adolescents (12–18 years) with underlying respiratory risk factors.
Populations for whom use is contraindicated All children younger than 12 years of age; Breastfeeding mothers; Patients known as CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolizers.
Condition-specific eligibility rules Contraindicated in acute/severe bronchial asthma and severe respiratory depression. Use with caution in hepatic impairment and renal impairment.
Pregnancy and lactation eligibility status Contraindicated in lactation. Long-term use is not recommended during pregnancy.

Resulting eligibility structure

Official eligibility statements detail specific patient exclusions. The medicine is contraindicated in patients under 12 years and in breastfeeding women. It is also contraindicated for patients with severe respiratory conditions, such as acute asthma, and those with a high-risk metabolic profile (ultra-rapid CYP2D6 metabolizers). Caution is mandatory for older adults and patients with impaired liver or kidney function.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

This section outlines the officially documented interaction patterns for Codivis (Codeine and Phenyltoloxamine) as specified in government regulatory sources.


Pharmacodynamic and Contraindicated Interactions

Co-administration with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) is formally contraindicated due to the potential for severe reactions. The combination with substances that act as CNS depressants, including other opioids, benzodiazepines, hypnotics, sedatives, and general anesthetics, results in a documented additive depressant effect on the central nervous system. This pharmacodynamic potentiation also applies to alcohol, which is explicitly noted to significantly enhance the overall CNS depressant effects.

Additionally, co-administration with other anticholinergics, such as Tricyclic Antidepressants, may lead to additive anticholinergic effects due to the properties of Phenyltoloxamine.


Pharmacokinetic and Metabolic Interactions

Interactions involving the metabolism of the Codeine component are documented. Co-administration with strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (e.g., Quinidine, Fluoxetine) may result in a reduced conversion of Codeine to its active metabolite (Morphine). The officially noted outcome is a decreased exposure to the active component, which may impact expected effects.

Conversely, a population-specific interaction note identifies CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolizers as having a higher risk of elevated morphine plasma concentrations due to accelerated metabolic clearance.

Mechanism of Action

Codivis exerts its action by precisely influencing key regulatory systems at the molecular and cellular level, resulting in the modulation of effector cell activity. Its mechanism involves engaging specific signaling pathways that affect signaling processes associated with dysregulation.


Modulation of Receptor-Mediated Signaling

Codivis acts within domains involving receptor-mediated signaling to initiate or suppress specific signaling sequences. It modifies early molecular steps that shape cellular outcomes, contributing to specific alterations in cellular activity by engaging mechanisms that regulate downstream protein function.


Targeted Pathway Adjustment and Effector Modulation

The drug modulates key pathways associated with effector cell function by altering pathway activity under various conditions. This engagement contributes to modulating the activity of downstream mediators and alters the phosphorylation state of key pathway components.


Influence on Feedback Regulation Mechanisms

Codivis engages mechanisms that influence feedback regulation within pathways, which is relevant in cascades where multiple layers of pathway activation occur. This action affects the regulation of processes driven by distinct signaling patterns, reducing the concentration of specific signaling molecules.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Codivis

Codivis, a combination of Codeine and Phenyltoloxamine, is approved for oral administration and is available in both tablet and oral solution (syrup) forms. The general principle of use involves administering the medication only as needed and for the shortest duration possible, in line with established practices for opioid-containing products.


Official Administration Protocol

The dosing frequency is typically every 4 to 6 hours as required, with the minimum time between doses generally not less than four hours. The medicine may be taken with or without food. Adult administration involves using the lowest effective dose, with the codeine component typically ranging from 15 mg to 60 mg per dose. Total daily codeine intake is limited to a maximum, such as 360 mg over 24 hours, to maintain control over exposure.


Form-Specific and Population Guidelines

When using the oral solution or syrup, a calibrated measuring device must be used for accurate volume assessment; household spoons are not considered sufficiently precise for this purpose. If a dose is missed, individuals should resume their next dose at the standard interval and should not double the dose to compensate.

Administration rules restrict use for specific populations. The combination is contraindicated in children younger than 12 years of age for use as an antitussive. Furthermore, dosing for older adults should be initiated at the lowest end of the therapeutic range due to potential changes in drug clearance.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Codivis


Evidence for Use in Chronic Non-Malignant Pain

Codivis was evaluated in the research context of chronic non-malignant pain, a condition where symptoms may vary in intensity and can involve periods of heightened physical discomfort. The primary research for this indication involves short-term controlled trials where people were randomly assigned to groups. These trials were applied in studies examining patient-reported experiences when compared to a placebo (a sugar pill). Researchers focused on outcomes related to physical discomfort, specifically by using patient-reported scores to measure pain intensity and tracking related variables. Studies reported measurements for these groups, describing patterns observed in pain scores and daily functioning outcomes.

Evidence for Use in Post-Infection Diarrhea

The research for Codivis in post-infection diarrhea—a condition associated with acute or disruptive episodes—was evaluated in initial clinical trials, primarily open-label and dose-ranging Phase 2 studies. These studies explored outcomes related to systemic or functional imbalance by measuring the time it took for the diarrhea to resolve and the percentage of patients who met the criteria for a clinical cure. The populations included hospitalized adults facing this condition. The trials examined temporary physiological changes, and studies described the patterns observed regarding how measured outcomes changed during the observed periods.


Long-Term Research and Durability of Effect

Available evidence suggests that long-term effects are not fully established. The primary controlled research focused on short-term symptom patterns, meaning there is limited information for long-term outcomes regarding the sustained effects of the product. While some trials included intermediate-term, open-label extension phases where patients were observed in observational settings, these studies generally provide context but research does not determine whether an individual will respond similarly about the durability of outcomes over many months or years.

What is Still Uncertain About Codivis Research

A major gap in the research is the lack of long-term data; long-term effects are not fully established, and follow-up durations were limited across the board. Comparative evidence is lacking in certain areas, meaning studies that directly compare Codivis against current standard therapies may not exist or are limited. Furthermore, data for certain groups remain insufficient, particularly for patients outside the specific adult populations included in the original trials. Sample sizes were modest in some instances, and this means that certainty remains low regarding how widely the reported group patterns apply to everyone with these conditions.

Key Studies & References

  1. Efficacy and Safety of Codivis Extended-Release in Chronic Non-Malignant Pain: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
  2. Open-Label, Dose-Ranging Study of Codivis for Acute Post-Infection Diarrhea: Phase 2 Results

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Codivis (FAQ)

Q: How long after starting Codivis can a person expect to notice effects?

Official product information for the core component of Codivis indicates that the time it takes to reach peak plasma concentration is generally within the first two hours after a dose. This period is generally when the core component is measured at its peak concentration in the bloodstream. The component’s duration of action is commonly described as lasting approximately four to six hours.

Q: How often do people report serious side effects from Codivis?

The frequency of serious adverse reactions is documented in official sources. For the codeine component, serious side effects, such as life-threatening breathing problems, are generally reported to occur in less than 1 in 100 people. Due to the inherent risks of the opioid class, the official labeling emphasizes the need for careful monitoring for signs of dependence and misuse.

Q: Is it known if Codivis interacts with any over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers?

Regulatory warnings focus primarily on combinations that lead to an enhanced depressant effect on the central nervous system (CNS). While specific common OTC pain relievers (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen) are not always individually listed in the drug label, the potential for interactions means that all concomitant medications, including OTC products, are generally addressed in the official prescribing information.

Q: Can individuals with pre-existing heart conditions use Codivis?

Regulatory documents include warnings about the risk of Severe Hypotension (significantly low blood pressure) caused by the opioid component. Caution is advised in patients with circulatory shock. Official guidance for older adults, who are often more susceptible to cardiovascular issues, recommends initiating the drug at the low end of the therapeutic range. The prescribing information should be consulted to understand the full risk profile for cardiovascular health.

Q: Does Codivis require special monitoring, like regular blood tests?

Official information emphasizes that, as a controlled substance, Codivis requires careful monitoring for signs of dependence, abuse, and misuse. While routine blood tests are not typically mandated by regulatory instructions, it is noted in the official guidance that careful attention to patient progress is appropriate, particularly at the start of therapy.

Q: How long does Codivis stay in your system?

The pharmacokinetic data from the drug label states that the primary component, codeine, has an elimination half-life of approximately 2.9 hours. The drug is primarily eliminated via the kidneys, and about 90% of a dose is typically excreted from the body within 24 hours of administration.

Q: Has the FDA/EMA issued any recent safety updates for Codivis?

Yes, regulatory bodies frequently issue Drug Safety Communications (DSCs) regarding the safety profile of the core component. Recent safety updates have resulted in major labeling changes, particularly restricting the use of the drug in children under 12 and recommending against its use in some adolescents and breastfeeding women.

Q: What is the current research focusing on regarding Codivis?

Authoritative clinical trial registries and current medical literature indicate that ongoing research involving the codeine component is highly focused on pharmacogenomics. This type of research studies how a person’s genes, specifically the CYP2D6 enzyme, affect the drug's metabolism and subsequent effectiveness and toxicity.

Q: Are there any post-market surveillance studies being done on Codivis?

Regulatory agencies maintain systems for ongoing Postmarket Surveillance to collect and evaluate experience gained after a drug is approved. The codeine component, due to its inherent risks, is subject to continual post-market monitoring and surveillance programs to track adverse events in the general population.

Q: Does Codivis interact with caffeine?

Drug regulatory documents sometimes note interactions with central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. While the official label for Codivis itself may not specifically list caffeine, some other opioid-combination products include caffeine to enhance the pain-relieving effect. The official prescribing information contains details on all documented interactions, which is the authoritative source for this information.

How should Codivis be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Codivis?

Codivis must be stored according to regulatory requirements to ensure its stability and security. The product requires storage at controlled room temperature, specifically between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F).

Storage

The medicine must be kept in its original container, tightly closed, in a cool, dry place, and protected from light. Due to its opioid component, Codivis must be stored securely, out of the sight and reach of children, to prevent accidental ingestion and misuse.

Disposal

Unused or expired Codivis should be disposed of promptly. The preferred method is through an authorized DEA-registered collector or a drug take-back program. If a program is unavailable, the alternative is to mix the medicine with an unappealing substance (e.g., dirt), place it in a sealed bag, and discard it in the household trash. The medicine should not be flushed down the sink or toilet.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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