Codeine what is it

Like all medicines, codeine can cause side effects in some people - but many people have no side effects or only minor ones. The higher the dose of codeine the more chance that you will get side effects. 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.

New Zealand's Medsafe, a unit of the Ministry of Health, has assessed the safety and effectiveness of codeine in children and adolescents. Codeine can cause serious breathing problems in children that could result in death. Codeine is broken down in your liver to morphine, which is a strong pain reliever. People may respond differently to codeine depending on how their liver breaks down codeine.

Like all medicines, codeine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine. Addiction is an excessive craving. If you are addicted to codeine, it means you are not able to control your use of it.

Slurring words, nodding off, and lack of coordination can be a good indication a person who takes codeine has taken too much. Codeine abuse is a key risk factor for opioid addiction. Codeine abuse can lead to tolerance and eventually dependence. When a person is codeine-dependent, they will experience withdrawal symptoms if they attempt to stop taking codeine.

In many cases, avoiding withdrawal is a reason for maintaining opioid dependence and potentially opioid addiction. When a person is struggling with codeine addiction, they typically struggle with the side effects of codeine abuse.

They may also show behaviors indicative of codeine addiction, such as:. Call now to talk with a treatment specialist about rehab at Vertava Health Mississippi. 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. The combination of acetaminophen and codeine comes as a tablet, capsule, and liquid to take by mouth. It usually is taken every 4 hours as needed. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

If you have taken acetaminophen and codeine for several weeks or longer, do not stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor.

Your doctor may decrease your dose gradually. If you suddenly stop taking acetaminophen and codeine, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, widened pupils black circles in the center of the eyes , teary eyes, irritability, anxiety, runny nose, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, yawning, sweating, fast breathing, fast heartbeat, chills, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, or muscle aches.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. This medication usually is taken as needed. If your doctor has told you to take acetaminophen and codeine regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Acetaminophen and codeine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.

To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program.

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at While taking acetaminophen and codeine, you should talk to your doctor about having a rescue medication called naloxone readily available e. Naloxone is used to reverse the life-threatening effects of an overdose.

It works by blocking the effects of opiates to relieve dangerous symptoms caused by high levels of opiates in the blood. Your doctor may also prescribe you naloxone if you are living in a household where there are small children or someone who has abused street or prescription drugs. You should make sure that you and your family members, caregivers, or the people who spend time with you know how to recognize an overdose, how to use naloxone, and what to do until emergency medical help arrives.

Your doctor or pharmacist will show you and your family members how to use the medication.