PRACTICAL REPORT ON THE ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF CODEINE AND PARACETAMOL

The goal of this experiment was to find out active chemical components in Anacin and Tylenol, using Thin Layer Chromatography technique. This technique uses the difference in the intermolecular forcer and polarity to separate mixtures. Comparing Rf values were then used to determine the active chemical components in the two analgesics. The overall result was that Acetaminophen exists in Tylenol and Acetylsalicylic Acid exists in Anacin.

Anne is currently taking paracetamol for the pain in her wrist, within healthcare analgesia should always be monitored to assess whether it is achieving elimination of pain and should be adapted to the individual patient (Vargas-Schaffer, 2010). If paracetamol were not effective in eliminating Anne’s pain then practitioners should consider a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication [NSAIDS] or a mild opioid medication such as codeine as the next step (Vargas-Schaffer, 2010). However as Anne is asthmatic NSAID medication should be used with caution due to the risk of increased frequency of asthma attacks and breathlessness (Joint Formulary Committee, 2015); if Anne has taken NSAIDS before with no issue then this would be the next choice of analgesia followed by codeine if combined paracetamol and NSAID did not prove effective (Vargas-Schaffer,

The purpose of this lab is to investigate the composition of a compound suspected to be Panacetin, a type of pain-killer. Panacetin is typically made up of sucrose, aspirin, and acetaminophen, but the third component in this experiment is unknown. The unknown component is suspected to be a chemical relative of acetaminophen, either acetanilide or phenacetin. Using techniques such as extraction, evaporation, and filtration, the three components will be isolated based on their solubilities and acid-base properties. Then, the percent composition of Panacetin can be deduced based on the masses of the three dried components. The

Codeine is a narcotic, and this common opioid that has been administered for a long as we can remember. It is used for acute pain relief and could give a feeling of euphoria “a high” as well as a degree of sedation. With many prescription drugs, they carry some risk and they include side effects such as constipation and nausea and drowsiness (Canada, 2009) (Addiction.com, 2011).

Vicodin was produced in the 1920’s by German pharmaceutical company. Vicodin was created by attaching a hydrogen atom to codeine molecules. When vicodin was first released, the maker believed that this procedure would make the codeine easier on the stomach and less poisonous to the consumer. According to Pernille H. Hemmingsen was used mostly as cough treatment and for moderate post-operative pain reliever (Hemmingsen, Mar 2011). Hemmingsen says vicodin is also used for chronic pain in, among others, cancer, persistent pain such as osteoarthritis and lower back pain (Hemmingsen, Mar 2011). They say that vicodin is present in more than two hundred different products in the United States (Hemmingsen, Mar 2011).

When an expecting mother is exposed to codeine, it can cause her unborn child to experience a life threating withdrawal process after birth (7). Codeine is an opiate that is used as an analgesic and cough suppressant (1). It is a depressant, meaning it lowers neurotransmission levels causing messages between the brain and body to be slowed down. It can be used on its own or it can be combined with other drugs (1). It is found in opium but can be synthesized from morphine (3,5). When it is metabolized in the body, it becomes morphine once again (5). Jean-Pierre Robiquet first isolated codeine from opiate poppies in 1832 in France (3). He synthesized the codeine from opiate poppies for medical use (3). It is used in the medical field to provide relief of pain, dry cough, diarrhea, cold, and flu for patients (2).

On its own, paracetamol is used to treat a number of conditions including mild pain and

Whenever discomforted by experiencing pain, one ingests certain analgesics to relieve and alleviate the pains throughout their body. A common misconception is that analgesics can be used to cure the pains and diseases within one’s body. (Roberts, 2006). Analgesics can also be referred to as painkillers, as they are used to relieve pain. (“Analgesics”, 2015). Like the majority of other drugs, analgesics become poisonous after their expiration date and should not be used in children younger than the age of 2. (Roberts, 2006). Analgesics can be purchased at pharmacies and specific grocery stores. Generally, there are three types of analgesics stored in pharmacies: simple non-opioid analgesics, compound analgesics, and opioid analgesics. (Shipley

All chemical compounds were from analytical grade. 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) & urethane were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich, product of China; SB-334867 from Tocris Bioscience Co, UK; dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) from Applichem Gmbh, Germany; Ketamine 10% and Xylazine 2% from Alfasan Co, Holland and diazepam from Caspian Tamin pharmaceutical Co. Rasht, Iran. Diazepam and 4-AP (fresh preparation) were diluted in saline. SB-334867 was dissolved in DMSO at final concentration of 4mM; aliquots of SB-334867 were kept in -20° C until use

Codeine is a type of pain medication and relieves a cough. It is treated to relieve mild to moderately severe pain. Codeine is available as a single-ingredient product and it sold that way. Codeine also has many side effects and one should never take codeine in large amounts. Codeine is also a strong narcotic drug that is put into your body.

(b) Codeine is a weak analgesic. Its power is about 1/12 of morphine. Therefore, codeine is not used as an analgesic, but as a powerful anti-cough.

Codeine (brand name Cheratussin AC) is a prescription opioid that can be used for its antitussive effects, that is cough reduction. Codeine is also used to treat pain and diarrhea.

In teaching Mr. Davic the proper intake and considerations to be known of paracetamol, certain assessments should be done first. For one, the patient is already 70 years old and some memory lapses and comprehension skills can be low. The assessments can also be supported with doctor recommendations and analysis, which can serve as guide towards the intake of paracetamol. Another essential assessment should ask the patient if he has liver disease or related liver and kidney diseases. Another would be history in alcoholism.

Drug screening, which is generally used in criminal situations, health care and the workplace has recently become more common. The ease of use and fast results have increased the use of immunoassays; however, these can cause false positive results. This can lead to severe consequences if they are not confirmed by secondary analysis, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). The drugs screened during this experiment were ketamine, methadone, diazepam, codeine and imipramine. This report discusses the use of thin layer chromatography as a drug screen technique. The results obtained from this are compared to the secondary analysis from GCMS which show that the drugs from the unknown sample were ketamine, methadone and codeine. The main techniques are examined to gain a better understanding of the methods used. Potential false positive and false negative results that can occur are also discussed.

When analyzing a blood sample containing drugs, often a normal scale or balance cannot detect the mass of the drugs in the sample due to the small size of the sample. In that case, in order to properly determine the mass of a drug in a sample, it becomes necessary to utilize a mass spectrometer. A mass spectrometer can measure the mass of atomic-sized particles with great accuracy (Jeol, 2006). In forensic toxicology, mass spectrometry can provide scientists with the identity and quantity of a drug in a sample (Christopher Tilson, personal communication, March 19, 21016). Mass spectrometry serves as an exceptionally useful method in the field of forensic drug analysis, as its ability to determine the mass of exceedingly small particles assists in the classification and quantification of drugs in a sample.