Facts about Codeine

The other name given to codeine is methylmorphine, and belongs to the 'opiate' class of drugs. The opiate group consists of all naturally occurring and synthetic drugs like codeine and heroin, which have effects similar to that of 'morphine'. According to a survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its League of Nations agency, codeine stands first in the list of most used opiate drugs. Generally, it is consumed orally and not through injections, and also has a wide safety margin. However, the dependency ratio of morphine, oxycondone or hydrocodone is much higher than that of codeine.

Its chemical name is 'expoxy-3methoxy-17-methylmorphian-6-ol', and formula is 'C18H21NO3'. For it to be effective, our body has to first convert it to morphine. If codeine is injected in the veins, it can later lead to many severe complications like pulmonic oedema, facial swelling, harmful release of histamines, and various cardiovascular problems. It cannot be consumed by snorting, but in some cases can be taken by smoking. When it is consumed, the aftereffects start within 10-30 minutes and may last for 4-6 hours, depending on the level of doses.

If an individual consumes codeine regularly, his body and brains get well adjusted with its use. Then to produce the same effects, it needs to be consumed in increasing amounts. If it is not, or the consumption is directly stopped, the brain slows down or stops the production of endorphin, which may cause an acute pain. If a person is addicted to codeine and suddenly stops its usage, he will suffer from some withdrawal symptoms. Such symptoms exist for a few days, and it can take up to a few months to feel normal again. These symptoms include a runny nose, perspiration, muscle pain and cramps, headaches, change in the heartbeats, nausea and vomiting, hypertension, high fever, sleep disorders, desiccation, and weakness. Codeine is primarily used as a medicine to reduce pain, and hence doctors usually prescribe it as a painkiller.

There are also cases where the patient consumes it to reduce pain as per the doctor's advice, but gets addicted to it. If he stops the consumption as per the doctor's directions, he may go through problems that are related to its withdrawal symptoms. If needed, it may be prescribed with some other muscle relaxers. Incredibly, in some areas it is directly sold over the counter. However, there are few pharmacists who refuse to do so, which is actually the right thing. In some nations, syrup and tablets which contain little amounts of codeine can also be bought over the counter.

Like any other medication, codeine also has some side effects like somnolence, xerostomia, and constipation. One severe side effect is respiratory depression disorder. Hence, its overdose can lead to serious consequences. If a mother is breastfeeding her baby, and at the same time consuming codeine in excess quantities, it can pass through her milk, which can be fatal to the baby. A newborn can suffer from severe breathing problems. If a woman is taking codeine doses regularly and finds out that she is pregnant, she should immediately inform her doctor about it. One should never mix codeine with alcohol, as alcohol increases its strength to a great extent, and can even impair the thinking ability. Moreover, its abuse can also cause euphoria. Nevertheless, its long-term use should not be discontinued suddenly without consulting a physician.

There is a high possibility of developing a codeine addiction when in the medicinal course. To avoid codeine addiction, simply ensure that you only take the required doses prescribed by your doctor. Besides serious health issues, an addiction will lead to personal and family problems. The best option is to stay away from it and be safe and happy.