November 6, 2024
Codeine for Pain: Side Effects, Codeine Addiction, and Abuse

Codeine for Pain: Side Effects, Codeine Addiction, and Abuse

Codeine for Pain: Side Effects, Codeine Addiction, and Abuse

Codeine is a prescription pain medication used to treat mild to moderate pain. It comes in tablet form and as the main ingredient in prescription-grade cough suppressants. Tylenol 3, another popular pain reliever, is codeine combined with acetaminophen.

Codeine is a narcotic pain-reliever and cough suppressant similar to morphine and hydrocodone. Moreover, a small amount of codeine is converted to morphine in the body. The precise mechanism of action of codeine is not known; however, like morphine, codeine binds to receptors in the brain (opioid receptors) that are important for transmitting the sensation of pain throughout the body and brain. Codeine increases tolerance to pain, decreasing discomfort, but the pain still is apparent to the patient. In addition to reducing pain, codeine also causes sedation drowsiness and depresses breathing.

Codeine is the generic name or the name of the actual drug component inside the medication. There are many different brand names of codeine, depending on which company has manufactured the drug.

Codeine is a type of drug called an opioid. This is a drug class that helps us to group drugs that work in a similar way together.

Is codeine addictive? Is it a controlled substance?

 

Codeine is habit-forming (addictive). Mental and physical dependence can occur but are unlikely when used for short-term pain relief.  Using codeine during pregnancy can cause opioid withdrawal syndrome in the newborn, which may be life-threatening if not treated.

An addiction to codeine may develop from continued abuse of the drug in its cough medicine or pill form. Codeine can lull its users into a false sense of security because many people do not consider it to be as powerful or addictive as its opiate family members.

Many people don’t stop at codeine. They try to reach a better high by mixing it with other substances, including alcohol. Because codeine and alcohol are both central nervous system (CNS) depressants, combining them can lead to dangerous levels of depression in the brain and respiratory system.

What is Codeine used for?

Codeine is usually in the relief of mild to moderate pain. For more severe pain, it is best to use a different type of opioid drug instead because side effects are less likely to occur.

Codeine can also sometimes be used to suppress a dry cough or to relieve short-term diarrhea. It is important that it is only used on a short-term basis for these indications and not as a continuous treatment.

Codeine Effects and Abuse

Codeine use often starts out innocently enough with a prescription for a codeine-based cough syrup. Because codeine is less regulated than some opiates considered to be more dangerous (such as morphine and OxyContin), getting and abusing it is relatively easy. Though less potent, codeine provides effects similar to morphine.

The effects of codeine include:

  • Euphoria
  • Apathy
  • Drowsiness
  • Relaxation

As an opiate, codeine runs a high risk of its users developing a tolerance and eventually a dependence on it. Although many people begin using codeine to relieve a legitimate condition, it is frequently abused as tolerance develops. Many codeine users begin to turn to the drug to cope with all of their physical pain and eventually their emotional pain as well. If you or someone you care about is struggling with a codeine problem, get help now.

What are the side effects of codeine?

The most frequent side effects of codeine include:

  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sedation
  • Allergic reactions
  • Constipation
  • Abdominal pain
  • Rash
  • Itching

Serious side effects of codeine include:

  • Life-threatening respiratory depression
  • Severe low blood pressure
  • Adrenal insufficiency
  • Accidental ingestion of codeine can result in fatal overdose

Codeine is a “prodrug” of morphine. This means that some of the codeine doses is converted to morphine – another opioid drug – inside your body. For example, if you take a 30 mg dose of codeine you would produce approximately 4.5 mg of morphine from the dose in your liver.

The exact amount of amount of morphine produced changes from each person according to your genetic makeup. There is a certain enzyme in the liver that is involved in converting codeine to morphine – called CYP2D6 – and everyone has a different amount of this enzyme.

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