Codeine: Should Be Made More Easily Available In The United States

Codeine, one of the safest, opium-derived pain killing drugs in the world, is a very effective in treating countless conditions which keep people in pain.

For many, Codeine is a miracle from God. In many countries, Codeine is perfectly legal & available without a prescription.

In others, such as Canada, it's accessible in small amounts (8mg/dose) without a prescription in combination with small amounts of aspirin, acetaminophen, caffeine or certain cough syrups, and Australia & New Zealand, where it's 15mg/dose.

Codeine's Current Status In The United States

In the United States, "codeine is regulated by the Controlled Substances Act. It is a Schedule II controlled substance for pain-relief products containing codeine alone or more than 90 mg per dosage unit. Tablets of codeine in combination with aspirin or acetaminophen (paracetamol/Tylenol) made for pain relief are listed as Schedule III; and cough syrups are Schedule III or V, depending on formula. The paracetamol/codeine pain-relief elixir is a Schedule V controlled substance." (cited: Wikipedia.org)

Codeine should be made more easily accessible without an RX in the United States

As Codeine is very clearly an effective, yet very safe opiate why is it that it is not readily accessible without RX in the United States?

Yes, there are many states which offer small amounts of Codeine in cough syrups through certain pharmacies as OTC, but this is simply not enough.

Alcohol is legal, cigarettes are legal, Codeine is MUCH less addicting than the latter, & the benefits are enormous. The U.S. could easily make a 30, 15 or 8mg doses OTC, combine it with some aspirin & caffeine & put certain regulations on it to relieve many people's severe pain.

The amount of people in constant pain who deal with it needlessly due to arbitrary laws, which force them to get it Rx & pay high amounts or, worse of all, maybe they just aren't aware of Codeine as an option, causing them to be prescribed Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab etc.), a truly addictive painkiller that, for many, is much more than they really need.

Codeine Should Be Made More Easily Accessible In The United States Because:

1.) It would alleviate many people's constant pain due to many various conditions.

2.) It's risks are FAR lower than loads of acetaminophen(500g in a single Tylenol Extra Strength), aspirin, ibuprofen or other OTC NSAIDS which are not only ineffective truly tear up your stomach over time.

3.) It's one of the safest, real, effective painkillers in the world.

4.) It would prevent many people from getting "overprescribed" Hydrocodone or Oxycodone, two very addictive, very strong painkillers.

(While the above can & have helped many people, I'm simply stating that they are overprescribed & overused, when a lesser, much more safe option such as Codeine or Dextropropoxyphene could be used effectively)

5.) It could easily remain Schedule V, & have regulations placed on it. For example, it could be placed in combination with SMALL AMOUNTS of acetaminophen or aspirin such as 300 as a maximum per dose, as well as caffeine, & only a months supply at a time max able to be purchased per customer, with enough for 30-60mg of Codeine max per day. The pharmacist could sign & that would be it. It would help MILLIONS of Americans and the risks are VERY minimal, especially with regulations.

If you feel strongly about increasing the availability of Codeine in the United States, as a way to truly help people who need it, while keeping regulations on it, please write to your Senator, House Rep, or other local authority regarding the matter.

Thank you