Pholcodine
Also known as: Benylin Children's Dry Cough Mixture · Galenphol · Folcodina · Pholcodinum
Reviewed by the VetSheet Veterinary TeamUpdated Apr 5, 2026Evidence-based veterinary reference
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Dosing by species
🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe
Dogs
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cough suppression | 0.1-0.2 mg/kg | PO | q6h | As needed | 🌍 EU |
- Cough suppression: Up to 4 times daily
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Pholcodine is a derivative of codeine that acts as an antitussive. It possesses mild sedating properties but lacks analgesic effects. It has a lower potential for inducing dependence compared to codeine.
Clinical Pearl: It is primarily used for cough suppression where the underlying cause cannot be removed and the coughing is detrimental to the animal's health (e.g., chronic bronchitis, tracheal or mainstem bronchial collapse).
Warning: It is not effective for respiratory tract infections and is unlikely to be effective for kennel cough in dogs. Many over-the-counter adult human cough mixtures contain dextromethorphan or guaifenesin, which should be used with extreme caution or avoided in veterinary patients.
Mechanism of action
Pholcodine depresses the cough reflex by acting directly on the cough centre in the central nervous system (CNS) → suppression of the medullary cough center.
Safety & warnings
Contraindications
- Respiratory depression
- Raised intracranial pressure
Adverse effects
- Sedation
- Constipation (less severe than codeine)
- Anaphylaxis (reported in humans)
Precautions
Normal precautions for opiate derivatives should be observed.
Caution: Ensure human combination cough syrups are not inadvertently administered if they contain toxic or unstudied active ingredients like dextromethorphan, xylitol, or paracetamol.
Drug interactions
Increased risk of CNS and respiratory depression
Additive CNS and respiratory depression
Monitoring
- Respiratory rate and effort
- Level of sedation
- Fecal output (monitor for constipation)
Pharmacokinetics
Half-life
Absorption
Absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract following oral administration.
Distribution
Crosses the blood-brain barrier to act on the CNS.
Metabolism
Hepatic metabolism.
Elimination
Excreted primarily via the kidneys.
Overdose
Overdose may result in exaggerated opiate effects, including severe sedation, respiratory depression, and potentially coma. Treatment is supportive; naloxone may be considered as an opioid antagonist if severe respiratory depression occurs.
Available products
Formulations
- Oral solution: 2 mg/5 ml
- Oral solution: 5 mg/5 ml
- Oral solution: 10 mg/5 ml
Human-labeled
- Benylin Children's Dry Cough Mixture
- Galenphol
Regulatory status
General sale (GSL) in some European regions.
General sale (GSL)
No regulatory data for: 🇺🇸 US · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Storage & stability
Store at room temperature, protected from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children and animals.
Client information
Administer exactly as prescribed by your veterinarian. This medication is used to suppress dry, non-productive coughs.
- It may cause mild drowsiness or sedation in your pet.
- Monitor your pet's bowel movements, as this drug can occasionally cause constipation.
Important: Never give your pet human cough syrups without veterinary approval, as many contain artificial sweeteners (like xylitol) or other drugs that are highly toxic to animals.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.