Ibuprofen and codine addiction

[Jacks]

Pay attention to what User is saying. H'es the only one here who sounds like he knows what he's talking about professionally.

Codeine's an "interesting" drug. It requires conversion to morphine to become an active analgesic; about 5% of the population can't do this and it has no analgesic effect. Another 1-2% or so are so called "fast acetylators" who convert at a higher and more complete rate and get an excessive effect from small doses; they may be prone to overdose after repeated use. I don't think addiction is a problem after very short term use, in any dose; or after long term use in small doses that are not increasing (eg 32 tablets a month!) People who take large doses of opiates (eg terminal cancer pain) don't seem to get addicted as long as the dose is only used to treat the pain effectively; people who get addicted are either prone to addiction (to anything), or taking it in doses that exceed the analgesic efficacy. And as a lot of contributors have noted, everyone's response to these drugs is different so you can't put a blanket condemnation on any of them. If you get ulcers of renal failure, dont take Ibuprofen If not, then no problem. Take them all in the smallest dose that's effective for you. If you're lucky and find something that really suits your need, then don't worry about anybody else's opinion and for Heaven's sake don't read every word in the Daily Wail as Gospel truth!

 

[classic33]

Pay attention to what User is saying. H'es the only one here who sounds like he knows what he's talking about professionally.

Codeine's an "interesting" drug. It requires conversion to morphine to become an active analgesic; about 5% of the population can't do this and it has no analgesic effect. Another 1-2% or so are so called "fast acetylators" who convert at a higher and more complete rate and get an excessive effect from small doses; they may be prone to overdose after repeated use. I don't think addiction is a problem after very short term use, in any dose; or after long term use in small doses that are not increasing (eg 32 tablets a month!) People who take large doses of opiates (eg terminal cancer pain) don't seem to get addicted as long as the dose is only used to treat the pain effectively; people who get addicted are either prone to addiction (to anything), or taking it in doses that exceed the analgesic efficacy. And as a lot of contributors have noted, everyone's response to these drugs is different so you can't put a blanket condemnation on any of them. If you get ulcers of renal failure, dont take Ibuprofen If not, then no problem. Take them all in the smallest dose that's effective for you. If you're lucky and find something that really suits your need, then don't worry about anybody else's opinion and for Heaven's sake don't read every word in the Daily Wail as Gospel truth!

So of the 1,000's of individual drugs on the market, often under different names. Excluding own brands. He knows the effects of them all.
Why then do they have a system in place whereby the user can report side effects not listed?

 

[classic33]

Or you can rely on second hand advice.

It depends on the prescription.

Mr R is a medical consultant specialising in drug and alcohol addictions. I showed him the OP. His view, on the basis of the information provided is that, given the short period the tablets were being used, it was highly unlikely that any dependency or addiction (and they're two different things) had occurred, or that any tolerance had built up.

In his view, the symptoms experienced by the OP are typical of cold and flu. Levels of anti-inflammatories and anti-pyhretics in the blood drop overnight (unless you're in hospital and the bugger's wake you up in the middle the night to take your meds) and combined with other effects of interrupted sleep, you will often feel worse in the morning. Then you take your next dose, the levels in your blood go up, you have other stimulants (tea, coffee and food) and you feel better. As the day goes on you'll begin to feel worse again.

Co-codamol and other codeine contains drugs are perfectly safe if used correctly. If in doubt ask your GP or a pharmacist - not a bunch of folks on the Internet...

 

[vickster]

Ref the OP, I wouldn't take codeine for a cold/flu virus type thing, seems an odd choice (was it recommended by the pharmacist?)
Paracetamol is much better for reducing a fever, obviously be careful with the dosing, amount and frequency. Codeine (and opiates in general, morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl) relieve pain by making you care less (in general and the pain). Me, I take codeine at night from time to time as it knocks me out which is helpful when pain stops sleeping! I don't find tramadol as effective, although for me, it seems to be quite sedating and less constipating than codeine. Tramadol was reclassified last year, as it is addictive, no repeat prescriptions if I recall, have to see the quack for more.

 

[Paulus]

As a train driver, I am not allowed to take over the counter medicine containing Codeine. If a doctor prescribed a medicine containing it i would have to go sick. This also includes many cold relieve preparations such as day and night nurse.We have to be very careful what we buy from the chemist.

 

[CopperBrompton]

We have to be very careful what we buy from the chemist.

Try being on warfarin: there is virtually no OTC cold remedy you can take as they almost all contain aspirin ...

 

[vickster]

Lemsip?

 

[CopperBrompton]

Lemsip?

Not even that, as two of the three ingredients – phenylephrine and guaifenesin – increase the risk of the side-effects of warfarin.

 

[vickster]

No aspirin though, only the super max snot version has guaifenesin

Unless really bunged up, paracetamol should be enough for cold symptoms

 

[BrynCP]

I don't have a distilling qualification either, but if someone was knocking back a fifth of scotch a day, I wouldn't need one to consider that they are likely addicted. I appreciate I am giving out the highly irresponsible advice to talk to someone who does have a medical degree, of course ...

The problem I have is I take other medication (anti epileptics) that reduces the effectiveness of Paracetamol, and I'd rather not take more of that! I can't take aspirin either.

If I was taking 1 a day, I'd be more concerned but bearing in mind I am more likely taking a full dose on 4-6 days in the month, when I get a particularly bad headache, I don't think it's too bad.

 

[CopperBrompton]

You may be right, but I'd definitely suggest making sure your doctor is aware of your usage and getting her/his take on it.

 

[classic33]

The problem I have is I take other medication (anti epileptics) that reduces the effectiveness of Paracetamol, and I'd rather not take more of that! I can't take aspirin either.

If I was taking 1 a day, I'd be more concerned but bearing in mind I am more likely taking a full dose on 4-6 days in the month, when I get a particularly bad headache, I don't think it's too bad.

Similar issue, epilepsy(reminder today), no painkillers of any sort allowed. Last painkillers taken were in January '96, in hospital. There were none allowed in September 99.

One of the drugs I'm taking thins the blood, the second reacts badly with most painkillers.

 

[Roadrider48]

[QUOTE 3459536, member: 9609"]I got myself hooked on them, it was the only painkiller that really worked for me, was taking loads (and stupidly* washing them down with tins of lager) when I stopped needing them for the pain I kept popping them as without them I just couldn't get motivated to do anything, strange how these things can creep up on you, I didn't even realise I was addicted to them at first, when my wife realised what I was doing she give me a few and told me," wean yourself off on those as I have burnt the rest of them" - it was a difficult few weeks.

*and I meant stupidly, apparently you can kill yourself taking tramadol and alcohol at the same time.[/QUOTE]
Similar to me really. I just kept taking more and more without realising the potential risks.
As I said, I tried to just stop. But oh boy, that was a truly awful experience that I won't be repeating.
Glad you sorted yourself out!

 

[Tigerbiten]

I was on morphine for about 3 months after I lost my left arm to a tiger.
I finally got bored of the side effects and came off it cold turkey.
I basically bounced off the walls for five days.
I went from sleeping around 12 hours a day to sleeping 12 hours in the the five days it took me to clear it out of my system.
Was not fun ...........

I've taken 3x400mg of Ibuprofen for around 30 years now as it work in conjunction with 3x500mg Glucosamine with keeping my joints working.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I'm so glad I ran across this thread, as I had the opportunity to refuse codeine this afternoon at the GP for a cough later figured out to be pneumonitis. Helped me remember all the reasons I dislike it.