cough

What are the side effects of cough syrup with codiene?  My husband is diagnosed with pnuemonia (pneumonia) and is now taking the cough medicine.  He had a stroke and was walking and seemed strong but since he is taking the cough medicine with codiene, he is very weak and I am afraid he will fall.  Should he discontinue the medicine?

[National Jewish Health]

Your husband may be exhibiting the sedative effect of codeine or, perhaps of another medicine included in this cough preparation, such as an antihistamine.  Codeine is converted to morphine, by the body.  There is wide individual variability of response to codeine.  Some individuals, described as "ultra-rapid metabolizers" are very sensitive to the adverse effects, including central nervous system depression.  The data is not good, in this regard, but the estimated number of ultra-rapid metabolizers is said to vary among different population groups from less than one per hundred up to 28 per 100 people.  Anyone can be an ultra-rapid metabolizer without knowing it.  The only way to find out is with a genetic test.

You should discuss this with your husband's physician and, pending resolution of the question, the safest way to proceed would be to stop administration of the codeine containing cough syrup.