Codeine, alone and with paracetamol (acetaminophen), for cancer pain

• Published in: Cochrane database of systematic reviews no. 9; p. CD006601
• Main Authors: Straube, Carmen, Derry, Sheena, Jackson, Kenneth C, Wiffen, Philip J, Bell, Rae F, Strassels, Scott, Straube, Sebastian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 19.09.2014
• Subjects: Acetaminophen - adverse effects; Acetaminophen - therapeutic use; Adult; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic - adverse effects; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic - therapeutic use; Analgesics, Opioid - adverse effects; Analgesics, Opioid - therapeutic use; Codeine - adverse effects; Codeine - therapeutic use; Drug Therapy, Combination - adverse effects; Drug Therapy, Combination - methods; Humans; Neoplasms - complications; Pain - drug therapy; Pain - etiology; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Pain is very common in patients with cancer. Opioid analgesics, including codeine, play a significant role in major guidelines on the management of cancer pain, particularly for mild to moderate pain. Codeine is widely available and inexpensive, which may make it a good choice, especially in low-res...