: a morphine derivative C18H21NO3·H2O that is found in opium, is weaker in action than morphine, and is used especially as an analgesic and antitussive
Examples of codeine in a Sentence
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Deaths linked to natural or semi-synthetic drugs, such as morphine and codeine, also fell from 12,135 In 2022 to 10,171 in 2023.
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Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 15 May 2024
Reclassifying the drug as Schedule III puts it in the same category as ketamine and Tylenol with codeine.
—Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 3 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for codeine 
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 15 May 2024
Reclassifying the drug as Schedule III puts it in the same category as ketamine and Tylenol with codeine.
—Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 3 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for codeine
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“Codeine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/codeine. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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codeine
noun
co·deine
ˈkō-ˌdēn 
ˈkōd-ē-ən
: a drug that is obtained from opium, is weaker than morphine, and is used as a pain reliever and in cough remedies
Medical Definition
codeine
noun
co·deine
ˈkō-ˌdēn, ˈkōd-ē-ən
: a morphine derivative that is found in opium, is weaker in action than morphine, and is used chiefly in the form of its sulfate (C18H21NO3)2·H2SO4 or phosphate C18H21NO3·H3PO4 especially as a pain reliever and cough suppressant
Although codeine is potentially addicting, it rarely causes physical dependence when taken orally for a short time.—Consumer Reports
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