Pholcodine
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.
Mecanismo: Pholcodine depresses the cough reflex by acting directly on the **cough centre** in the central nervous system (CNS) → suppression of the medullary cough center.
Dosificación por especie
- Cough suppression · 0.1-0.2 mg/kg · PO · q6h · As needed · Up to 4 times daily
Las dosis son una referencia clínica para veterinarios colegiados. Confirme siempre con la ficha técnica vigente y el paciente individual.
Vías de administración
Contraindicaciones
- Respiratory depression
- Raised intracranial pressure
Efectos adversos
- Sedation
- Constipation (less severe than codeine)
- Anaphylaxis (reported in humans)
Interacciones farmacológicas
- Tramadol · Increased risk of CNS and respiratory depression · major
- Other opiates · Additive CNS and respiratory depression · major
Monitorización
- Respiratory rate and effort
- Level of sedation
- Fecal output (monitor for constipation)
Sobredosis
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.
La referencia de fármacos de VetSheet está destinada a veterinarios colegiados como apoyo a la decisión clínica, no sustituye el juicio profesional ni la ficha técnica vigente del fabricante.