Why does codeine make me sick

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.

Some recreational drugs, such as cannabis, will also increase codeine side effects such as sleepiness and dizziness. Taking heroin while you're on prescribed codeine is especially dangerous. You're more likely to get all the side effects of codeine, including addiction. Tell your doctor if you think you may take recreational drugs while you're on codeine.

Page last reviewed: 27 November Next review due: 27 November Codeine On this page About codeine Key facts Who can and can't take codeine How and when to take it Taking codeine with other painkillers Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About codeine Codeine is a painkiller. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? Codeine works by stopping pain signals from travelling along the nerves to the brain.

The most common side effects of codeine are constipation, feeling sick nausea and feeling sleepy. It's possible to become addicted to codeine, but your doctor will explain how to reduce the risks of becoming addicted.

If you need to take codeine for more than a few weeks, your treatment plan may include details of how and when to stop taking this medicine. It may be best not to drink alcohol while taking codeine as you're more likely to get side effects like feeling sleepy. Do not give codeine to children under 12 years old.

Only give codeine to children aged 12 to 18 years if everyday painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen haven't worked. Cream for my bottom from the runs. And now I am on day 10 and feel horrible but free. Pain is still here. I have been penadeine forte for 22 years so far I have no problems with it still takes the pain away and my kidneys and liver are fine.

I have seen people who, when they were out on the street and there were no drugs available, go through extreme machinations of withdrawal. I have been taking panadein for many years have got down to 6 a day but can't get off them I am starting to get worried has anybody got any suggestions thank you.

Well done for trying to do something to help prevent others from making the same mistake. Well done. I am 1month off nurofen plus and I am struggling.

I have taken them for 15years. The first 2 days was horrible, anxious, nauseous, cranky, couldn't sleep, no energy. I understand completely and it's a horrible place to be. This is not about Codeine at all. Its about ibuprofen. Duh it eats your stomach away whether or not it had codeine. Panadeine forte is safer, she could have gone to that alternative. It still has codeine and still gives you the high. I have been on Panadeine forte for 5 years. I never take more than 8 each day.

I have a curved spine from a fall and this drug lets me work and get on with my life. Just because some people are using it for fun it doesnt mean you should put a bad name to it. Codeine is only lethal in high doses over mgs not 30mgs.

Never had any issues with my gut, liver, heart breathing or anything. Its safe for pregnant women. Panadeine forte is the cure drug. Takes away pain and lets me sleep well and eat well. Drinking 10 bottles of beer every weekend harms your liver more than taking 8 tablets of panadeine forte per day.

This country should be banning alcohol and not pain killers. I have been addicted to Nurofen Plus for 15 years. Mine started after a dentist recommended I take it to help my pain after having root canal treatment. After feeling that europhric feeling I could stop. I have been so unwell from taking this.

I urge everyone to stop. The hardest thing for me at The moment is deep depression and fatigue. But as time goes on I know the chemicals in my brain will correct over time and so will my fatigue. It's the hardest thing I've ever gone through but I need to save my life.. The author told my story but only half of it. I didn't know I had ulcers in my stomach due daily high levels of ibuprofen. I got addicted to NP after my 1wk codiene prescription ran out, for toothache. But for me, too late, I was already addicted.

It helped my workload, volunteering and nobody knew! But I was getting ill, thin, anaemic and vomited a lot. And I couldn't stop. One night, the ulcer started bleeding. I'd already got to hospital before it burst. A perforated gastric ulcer and there truly are no words in the English language to describe the pain.

Emergency op saved my life, long recovery. It's a hidden addiction here. Nurofen Plus is evil, why don't they sell Same pack size? If you're UK, ask your GP. Naomi, I hope you're better now but if not, please get some specialist help because, like me, it's killing you.

I'm prescribed 24mg and will reduce just 2mg at a time. NP was making my depression worse as I knew my insides were giving up.

I carried on using after my burst stomach ulcer which is insane addiction. For me, buprenorphine was the only way in the end and I'm so grateful. Methadone on the other hand, is very addictive but still healthier than NP for us hardcore addicts.

Sending love, best wishes and recovery. More clinical guidance. Related Australians misusing painkillers. Age of opioid pharmacotherapy patients increasing, report says. Australian Chief Medical Officer confirms strong basis for codeine up-scheduling. Codeine up-scheduling may offer chances for patient education and holistic care.

Thanks for sharing. Please enter your name. Your email:. Specified email address is not valid. When you first start treatment, do not drive until you know how you react. Codeine is an opioid medicine sometimes called an opiate. It is used to treat mild-to-moderate types of pain. It can be particularly useful when painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen have not been effective. It works by binding to certain tiny areas, called opioid receptors, in your central nervous system brain and spinal cord.

This leads to a decrease in the way you feel pain and your reaction to pain. Codeine is available on a prescription from a doctor. Codeine is also contained in a number of combination medicines, some of which can be bought over-the-counter, without a prescription, in pharmacies. In particular, it is available in combination with the painkiller paracetamol in a medicine called co-codamol. There is a separate medicine leaflet called Co-codamol for pain relief which explains about this medicine.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking codeine, it is important that your doctor knows:.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with codeine.

You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Important : people taking opioid medicines, and their family and friends, should be aware of the risk of accidental overdose and know when to seek medical help. The risk is higher if you also take other medicines that make you feel drowsy. Signs you have taken too much medicine include:. If you have taken more codeine than you should or someone else accidentally swallows your medication, call for an ambulance and tell them the name of your medicine.