Adverse reactions to intravenous codeine phosphate in children. A report of three cases.

Adverse reactions ranging from tachycardia and cutaneous vasodilatation to severe hypotension and apnoea occurred in three children who were given codeine phosphate intravenously. The cause of these reactions is discussed and a review of the literature on the parenteral use of codeine phosphate is presented. The findings indicate that the standard reference formularies and pharmacopeoiae, with one exception, deal inadequately with the parenteral use of codeine phosphate. On the evidence of the cases presented we would support the conclusion of the American Medical Association's drug evaluations, that codeine phosphate should not be used intravenously in children.