Pholcodine is an opioid medicine that works by suppressing the cough reflex in the brain thus reducing the nerve signals that are sent to the muscles involved in coughing. It is used in adults and children to treat nonproductive (dry) coughs and is most commonly used in cough syrups and often in combination with other active substances in products that treat the symptoms of cold and flu. Pholcodine containing products registered in Botswana are;

1. Pholtex Forte 15mg/5ml (Pholcodine)
2. Pholtex junior linctus 5mg/5ml (Pholcodine)
3. Tixylix (Promethazine & pholcodine).