Codeine / Nurofen Plus use

[DaveDave]

My husband has been using Nurofen Plus to deal with stress. He reckons he doesn't take many but I have noticed strange behaviour recently. He seems to completely zone out, like he is in a different place in his head and it is hard to get his attention.

AIBU to think you don't get that sort of change just by taking 3 or 4 as he claims? And how can I help him? He won't go to the doctor. Can I go on his behalf? Worried it is now proper codeine addiction

Ibuprofen ("Nurofen") is a completely different drug to codeine.

That is not true say that it's harmless. The main risk is stomach damage: you should never take it more than three times a times a day.

It doesn't have any psychoactive effects.

Nurofen Plus has codeine in it though does it not?

Nurofen plus has codeine in it

It’s a very tough habit to break and he’ll definitely need GP support. I’d encourage him to be totally honest with you first about how many he’s taking.

The ibuprofen in the tablets could cause damage to his kidney function and stomach. If he’s able to talk to the GP they may suggest a reducing dose of just codeine to help manage him coming off the drug entirely and also address the stress and anxiety he’s using it for.

Good luck!

Please excuse my typos!

Well, yes, but in such a ridiculously small amount. He would need to be taking very large amounts, massively so to produce the effects you are describing.

I accidentally got addicted to codeine. It happens quickly and easily and even with not taking that much. It is possible to get very sedated and ‘zoned out’ on not that much so is possible he is only taking 3/4, however if he is taking this daily then it will soon increase. If he won’t see a doctor then I’m not sure how you’d best approach it. Can you email him links to websites regarding codeine addiction. I only noticed for myself when I was buying a pack and the woman in the pharmacy commented on the fact that it wasn’t that long since I’d last bought a pack and that I should see a GP. I was really offended, but she was right.

You’re right. N+ has codeine in. If he’s taking more than 2 tabs with paracetamol or ibuprofen at a time it could be causing havoc on his liver and stomach. If he’s trying to get a large dose for stress then combining the two (2 N+ and 2 solpadiene and something) won’t physically hurt him. Obviously that’s not a long term solution and he needs to work on why he needs it for stress.

I had one dose of codeine after birth and felt much more disoriented and dissociated than I did when I had been taking the morphine.

Ah, I missed that Nurofen Plus has codeine in it, sorry!

I still think the most damaging aspect of longterm use will be gastric though, due to the ibuprofen.

Codeine has an addictive element to it, of course, but used under medical supervision and review is perfectly safe (if constipating!)

I take 60mg of codeine three or four times a day to deal with cancer pain, which will be WAAAAYY more than is n any thing no over the counter, and I can assure you that it does not make me spaced out or absent.

I would be a bit concerned, but I wouldn’t know what to say if he won’t go to the Dr.

My husband takes them for migraines but I think he was at least psychologically dependent on them. He wasn’t really aware about the codeine until I mentioned it, he just knew they worked and helped him sleep.

We’ve since moved to Australia where you can’t get them over the counter any more and he was a bit anxious about it. He has since seen GP and got a script so hopefully won’t take as many now.

As a pp mentioned it’s the ibupfroen which can also be harmful.

Specialist addiction nurse here. Yes, it does have codeine in it, and yes some people do become very addicted to it (and codeine in general). Whilst he may have initially got the effect you describe from a small dose, it's likely he would develop tolerance quickly and use more than he is reporting now.

My best advice is not to challenge your husband about this; give him 5 reasons why he shouldn't do this and he will likely find 10 reasons why it's ok. Instead just gently share your concern and offer to support him however you can. Have a look at Addiction services in your area. There are likely to be family support groups who could help you cope whilst your husband gets to a place where he can access treatment

Codeine doesn’t make everyone spaced out. Even otc amounts make me spaced out.

The effective strength of codeine is different for different people as it depends on their metabolism - it is only active once metabolised. Some will have only small or no benefit, others if they are rapid metabolisers of it can get a rapid and pronounced effect. Doesn't take much codeine to put me to sleep!

Crap, he is probably taking much more than he says then. I hate codeine, makes me constipated and I would pay not to take it.
I will have a gentle chat later. Really want to help him.

Whenever my husband takes over the counter cocodamol (8mg codeine) his eyes go funny and he gets really sleepy. So popping a couple of N+ could make him spaced out, but he would build a tolerance quite quickly so would need more for the same effect. I'm on 60mg a couple of times a day (messed up back) and I'm ok on it.

I'd be concerned about his stomach, and kidneys and liver, if he's combining meds. It's a difficult one go raise, but do try to talk to him and see if you could find other ways to ease the stress. A GP could help with this, but I can appreciate how hard it would be to get him to visit one. Good luck!

Codeine use can be a real issue for some people. A small proportion of the population are rapid metabolisers of codeine - meaning their body converts it into morphine at a rapid rate. This can then lead to addiction and a dependence on the codeine. The problem with a product like nurofen plus is that people may take more than recommended dose to get the codeine effect, which then increases risk of gastric or kidney side effects.
OP codeine addiction can be serious, I would suggest you chat to your GP about how you can support your DH

I admitted two young-ish men to intensive care this year with severe liver/kidney failure due to long-term misuse of nurofen plus/co-codamol. Just because it's available OTC doesn't mean it's safe!

Well, I defer to some of the other posters here with more expertise than I have! Fortunately, I seem to get along fine with it, but clearly that's not the case for everyone.

BitofFun Hope you are ok. Cancer pain does not sound good so I am glad it helps you!

Oh dear! Codeine metabolises into morphine once in the body. How many is he taking? Is he motivated to stop? Opiate addiction is very serious....

If taken for genuine pain shouldn't cause someone to zone out etc,

But it should never be taken for stress

I have been prescribed codeine and dihydracodeine for pain. When I stop taking them I get no withdrawal affects due to not having developed a psychological or physical dependence on them (prescribed by GP occasionally I've got OTC when I've forgotten to fill out my repeat). Taking them for a reason other than pain, beyond the recommended dose, and beyond the recommended 3 days for anything other than pain and not on Drs advice sounds like addiction to me.

I can't take codeine because I metabolise it very quickly. It terrifies the shit out of me.

I hope your DP is ok and manages to get some help.

He could well be addicted. I have been for long spells in the past. It's a common problem - increasingly so. Of course you can't make him stop taking them - he will likely just try to hide his use from you - but you can encourage him to find other avenues for dealing with his stress, which is the root problem.