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Codeine
Phosphate
The word codeine alone does not imply the chemical composition of
the drug described. Raw codeine in its natural form as extracted
from opium is known as the Codeine Base. When codeine was
first discovered it was taken in this form.
However
drug manufacturers developed the tendency to sell the medications
they extract as salts e.g Codeine Phosphate. This was done because
it was discovered that the salt of a base is absorbed into the body
more effectively, in addition to that the concept of Slow Release
can be applied where a pill is absorbed into the body at a very
slow rate extending the duration of its effect.
Other
such salts include Tartarate and Sulphate (or Sulfate).
Currently the commonly found form is as Phosphates.
The
kind of codeine salt used is not always specified but this information
can be found by studying the label or the leaflet accompanying the
pills.
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