Effects of a mu-opioid receptor agonist (codeine phosphate) on visuo-motor coordination and dynamic visual acuity in man.

Effects of codeine (30, 60 and 90 mg) on visuo-motor coordination and dynamic visual acuity, together with critical flicker fusion, digit symbol substitution, complex reaction time and subjective assessments of mood, were studied from 0.75-2.0 h after ingestion by six healthy female adults. The study was double-blind and placebo controlled, and triprolidine (10 mg) was used as the active control. The effect on visuo-motor coordination was limited and was dose related and linear, and performance was altered on visuo-motor coordination with 60 and 90 mg codeine, and on dynamic visual acuity with 90 mg codeine (P less than 0.05). No other effect of codeine was detected. Modulated neuromuscular function is likely to be the common denominator of the changes in performance with codeine, though nausea, but not sedation, may be a contributory factor. It is possible that altered performance with codeine may involve interactions with different receptors than those which lead to sedation.