Many people in the U. Prescription opioid abuse is often a precursor to heroin addiction. People who have a history of codeine abuse or addiction have a high risk of overdose. A codeine overdose can be fatal and is considered dangerous.
When codeine metabolizes to morphine, it can result in severe respiratory distress. Depressed breathing can deprive the brain of oxygen. Long-term decreased oxygen deprivation or complete oxygen deprivation for more than five minutes can cause permanent brain damage. It is important to seek emergency medical attention if a person taking codeine seems to be struggling to breathe or shows any of the following symptoms:.
Seeking medical services is important because, without intervention, a codeine overdose can result in heart attack, stroke, seizures, coma, and even death. Since codeine abuse can lead to physical dependence, a person dependent on codeine will experience withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug. Codeine withdrawal can be quite uncomfortable, and in some cases, incredibly painful. Opioid withdrawal usually is not fatal on its own, however, it can cause significant distress and many individuals return to opioids early on in sobriety to avoid withdrawal.
Codeine withdrawal symptoms, like other opioid withdrawal symptoms, are very similar to severe flu-like symptoms. In addition to muscle and body aches, vomiting, and diarrhea, a person experiencing codeine withdrawals may also have some of the following symptoms:. The physical and flu-like side effects typically continue for about seven days, while the behavioral and emotional withdrawal symptoms can last for months after the last dose of codeine.
Because withdrawal associated with codeine and other opioids is so intense, it is strongly encouraged that the person finds a detox program that specializes in opioid addiction.
Programs equipped to help individuals with codeine addiction can offer support, medication, and supplements for clients. Substance abuse treatment programs that specialize in opioid addiction are called opioid treatment programs OTPs. These rehab programs use evidence-based intervention methods and comprehensive services for those struggling with an opioid use disorder. Facilities that offer OTPs are monitored at the state and federal levels. These locations provide:.
Locating a facility for codeine addiction treatment in Massachusetts can seem overwhelming. Common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the side effects bother you or don't go away:. Serious side effects happen in less than 1 in people. Call a doctor straight away if you:. In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to codeine.
These are not all the side effects of codeine. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicine packet. In early pregnancy, it's been linked to problems in the unborn baby. If you take codeine at the end of pregnancy there's a risk that your newborn baby may get withdrawal symptoms or be born addicted to codeine. However, it's important to treat pain in pregnancy. For some pregnant women with severe pain, codeine might be the best option. Your doctor is the best person to help you decide what's right for you and your baby.
Codeine isn't usually recommended if you're breastfeeding. Small amounts of codeine pass into breast milk and can cause breathing problems in the baby. Speak to your doctor as they may be able to recommend a different painkiller. Some medicines and codeine interfere with each other and increase the chances of you having side effects. It's not possible to say that complementary medicines and herbal remedies are safe to take with codeine.
They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. It works in the central nervous system and the brain to block pain signals to the rest of the body. It also reduces the anxiety and stress caused by pain. When codeine blocks the pain, there are other unwanted effects - for example slow or shallow breathing.
It also slows down digestion, which is why codeine can cause constipation. A codeine injection into a vein gives the quickest pain relief. It works almost straight away. Codeine tablets, liquid and cough syrup all work in 30 to 60 minutes, but they wear off after a few hours.
Yes, codeine is addictive. For this reason, your dose will be reviewed to make sure you are only taking the amount you need to control your pain, or diarrhoea. Your treatment plan may include details of how and when you will stop taking codeine. If you need to take it for a long time your body can become tolerant to it. That means you need higher doses to control your pain over time. Some people can become more sensitive to pain hyperalgesia. If this happens, your doctor will reduce your dose gradually to help these symptoms.
Speak to your doctor if you are worried about tolerance, hyperalgesia or becoming addicted. If you're addicted to codeine, you may want to take it more often or feel agitated if you delay taking a dose for any reason. And if you stop taking codeine suddenly you may suffer from withdrawal symptoms. Drinking alcohol while you're on codeine may make you feel more sleepy or increase the risk of serious side effects. It's best to stop drinking alcohol during the first few days of treatment until you see how codeine affects you.
If you feel sleepy with codeine, stop drinking alcohol while you're taking it. Children aged 12 to 18 years can take codeine for pain or diarrhoea - but only if other medicines haven't worked. Use the lowest dose that works for no more than 3 days. If they still have symptoms after 3 days see a doctor. Codeine shouldn't be given to children aged 12 to 18 years if they have breathing problems or if they have had their tonsils or adenoids removed because of obstructive sleep apnoea.
If you're taking codeine for a short time and at normal doses, there's no firm evidence that it can reduce fertility. However if you've been taking it for a long time and you're concerned about your fertility, or you're trying to get pregnant, speak to a pharmacist or your doctor.
The type of painkiller that's best depends on what type of pain you have. If codeine doesn't get rid of your pain or becomes less effective, talk to your doctor. Codeine is a controlled medicine. This means there are extra rules on how it's prescribed and dispensed to make sure it's not given to the wrong person or misused.
However, this doesn't affect you as a patient. The rules only apply to the pharmacy that dispenses it. When you first take codeine, you'll probably feel sleepy for a few days. But the sleepiness will wear off as your body gets used to the medicine. You might notice you're less alert. In this case, you might choose to have less than perfect pain relief as a trade-off.
Do not drive a car or ride a bike if codeine makes you sleepy during the daytime, gives you blurred vision or makes you feel dizzy, clumsy or unable to concentrate or make decisions. This may be more likely when you first start taking codeine but could happen at any time - for example when starting another medicine. It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive.
If you're in any doubt, do not drive. Even if your ability to drive is not affected, the police have the right to request a saliva sample to check how much codeine is in your body. UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's safe for you to drive while taking codeine.
Codeine doesn't affect any type of contraception, including the combined pill or emergency contraception. But, if you are taking codeine because you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Look on the pill packet to find out what to do. If you take recreational drugs, such as cannabis, cocaine and heroin while you're taking codeine, you're more likely to get the serious side effects of codeine including breathing difficulties, heart problems, seizures and even go into a coma.
You should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription. Do not keep leftover medication. Just one dose can cause death in someone using this medicine accidentally or improperly. Read and carefully follow the instructions provided with this medicine about how to safely dispose of any unused portion.
Since this medicine is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. Skip any missed dose if it's almost time for your next dose.
Do not use two doses at one time. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at A codeine overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include slow breathing and heart rate, severe drowsiness, muscle weakness, cold and clammy skin, pinpoint pupils, and fainting.
Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls or other accidents. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.
Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may have breathing problems or withdrawal symptoms if you start or stop taking certain other medicines. Tell your doctor if you also use an antibiotic, antifungal medication, heart or blood pressure medication, seizure medication, or medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C.
Opioid medication can interact with many other drugs and cause dangerous side effects or death. Be sure your doctor knows if you also use:. This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect codeine and promethazine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
0コメント