Tylenol 3 vs. Codeine.. Which medication do you administer first?

Nurses General Nursing

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Pt. complains of pain. Rates pain at 3 out of 5. Pt. prn pain medications orders are Tylenol 3 and Codeine. Which medication do you administer first, Tylenol 3 or Codeine? Or do you administer both? And what's the rationale behind it?

Specializes in cardiac.
traumaRUs said:
Yep - as cough suppresant.

Thanks again. I promise not to butt in anymore. Learn something new on this site everytime I come here!!! 

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If the order was for 20 mg COD, then it was not a miswritten order. I don't think there is a combination that has only 20 mgs of COD unless it's the childrens' elixir. Yes, you can give them together.

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Our codeine elixer is mixed with phenergan . . .

I've never given a pill form of codeine all by itself. Doesn't mean it doesn't exist somewhere though.

steph

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Specializes in ICU/PCU/Infusion.
stevielynn said:
Our codeine elixer is mixed with phenergan . . .

I've never given a pill form of codeine all by itself. Doesn't mean it doesn't exist somewhere though.

steph

Well, I can vouch for codeine being available by itself. It's actually codeine sulfate, and it comes in 15, 30, and 60 mg tablets for Adult dosages. Pediatric dosages are in mg/kg, and also by BSA. It also is available in elixer (again, by itself) form. It is prescribed as an analgesic, cough suppresant, and anti-diarrheal.

It's really a great product as it is has the analgesia properties without the tylenol additive, so it can be given in between tylenol in order to prevent liver toxicity from acetominophen. In much the same way as oxycodone is given in tablet form in 5 or 10 mg. tablets without the tylenol (as would be found in percocets, for example).

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Specializes in Perinatal, Education.

We use codeine by itself all of the time in postpartum. It is usually given 60mg tablet. Sometimes the order is for 30mg. I will sometimes give it with Motrin 600 or give the codeine and then the Motrin in a couple of hours. It is common at my current hospital, but hasn't been everywhere I've been.

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