Published: Journal of Analytical Toxicology, Volume 24, Number 2, March, pp.133-139
Urinary Excretion
of Codeine and Morphine following the Administration of Codeine-Containing Cold
Syrup
Division of Drug Chemistry, National Laboratories of Foods and Drugs, Department
of Health, Executive Yuan, 161-2 Kuen Yang Street, Nankong, Taipei, Taiwan
The concentrations of codeine ([C]) and morphine ([M]) excreted in urine obtained from nine subjects at various time intervals after the ingestion of 10–40 mg of both simple and compound codeine doses three times per day for three days were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. Four distinct [C]/[M] distribution patterns (phases) were observed: a, [C] > [M] from ingestion of first dose to 78–108 h after ingestion of the first dose (18–48 h after the ingestion of the last dose); b, [C] » [M] 78–90 h after ingestion of the first dose (18–30 h after ingestion of the last dose); c, [C] < [M] 78–102 h after ingestion of first dose (18–42 h after ingestion of the last dose); and d, [C] < 0.05 µg/mL and [M] > 0.05 µg/mL 84–96 h after ingestion of the first dose (24–36 h after ingestion of the last dose with [M] ranging from 0.10 to 0.30 µg/mL) toward the terminal phase. No single individual exhibited all four [C]/[M] distribution characteristics during the entire excretion period and intervals monitored in this study. These data are of reference value for differentiating codeine and morphine/heroin ingestion.
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