Page 55 - phytochemistry general program

Toxicity: Minimum lethal dose is 200 mg, addicts tolerate higher doses . .4

Codeine

Properties ≠ morphine
- Codeine is the methyl ether of morphine,
- Codeine differs from morphine in its solubility behavior, being soluble in water,

ether, benzene, chloroform, in ethanol.
- It does not form phenates with alkalies (as it is non phenolic) and gives no colour

with ferric chloride.
However it remains dissolved in aqueous phase after alkalinization, with either

fixed alkalis or ammonia, as the alkaloid base is water soluble
Assay: By non aqueous titration

Uses: Codeine is used to relief dry initiating cough.

Papaveratum
is a preparation containing Hydrochlorides of mixed opium alkaloids.
Noscapine was removed from the BP formulation due to the genotoxic potential of

noscapine.
Papaveratrum has analgesic and narcotic properties of morphine and is used in
the treatment of moderate and severe pain and for pre-operative sedation usually

in conjunction with hyoscine.

53