Scary reaction to codeine.

[gottachangethename1]

I had a moderately bad headache earlier today , but had run out of ibruprofen and paracetamol. I found some codeine in the medicine cabinet and took 2 30mg tablets. Within 20 minutes I was sweating, feeling numb , dizzy with tingling sensations on my teeth and felt very nauseous. An hour later, I still felt just as bad and then started vomiting almost constantly for around 20 minutes. I then fell into a deep sleep for several hours. Has anyone else ever reacted to these tablets like this? I'm usually tolerant of most medications but this was awful. I'm better now, although still a little tender from vomiting so much.

That is a high dosage if you have never taken it before. The over the counter dosage is 16mg. I would avoid it in future and speak to a pharmacist about your experience.

Codeine makes me very drowsy and spaced out. I can take one with just sleeping off, but if I have to take 2 then it spaces me out for a full 24 hours. Really can't move at all, barely functioning.

I only take them for a bad migraine I can't shift because of that, and will only take 2 if I know I can basically collapse in bed for 24 hours and certainly no driving within that time, or ideally longer.

60mg codeine is a huge dose to take for a headache! That's a prescription only dose, prescribed for severe pain. I'm not surprised you reacted badly. It would be best to avoid taking it again, especially as codeine can give you rebound headaches.

Thanks Arcadia. I foolishly believed they would be like paracetamol, hence taking two lots of 30mg. I have thrown the packet away, never going to take them again.

Boots & Tesco sell 8mg tablets. Codeine can make headaches a lot lot worse.

I would stick with paracetamol (when you have some handy) & lots of water, in case the cause is dehydration, to start with.

That was a massive dose for a moderate headache. It's a post operation dose! Everything you've described are side effects of codeine unfortunately. Maybe next time just take half a tablet! I hope you're feeling a bit better now?

Was it codeine phospate or Co-Dydramol you had?

It makes me feel really sick! Not as bad as you've described but I think I took a much smaller dose..

It made no difference to the headache whatsoever! Didn't realise how small a dosage is required.

It was codeine phosphate

codeine is metabolised to morphine.
some people do that quicker than others.
so maybe you are one of those?
but yes, it's a high dose. and if unfamiliar with a medicine rtfl (read the fucking leaflet)

You took 60 mg and aren't used to it? Not surprised you had that reaction. I regularly take 30 mg without side effects but only move up to 60 when the pain is rally bad and I can basically pass out in a corner. 30mg is a prescription dosage- did you not see the pharmacy label?

I've taken codeine once. Took half an 8mg as I'd never had them before and felt truly awful. Tired, confused, got the shakes, from 4mg! I am pretty petite but still. Would never take them again!

You haven't actually binned it? Please take it to a pharmacy so they can dispose of it properly.

I had a blister pack with four tablets in it, no packet/label , so no instructions. Dm takes them for arthritis and has never had a reaction (but assume she takes a much smaller dose)

I have that reaction to codeine as well. Very scary! It's happened twice, prescribed both times. The first time, I had severe tonsillitis, and I thought the vomiting was due to that. The second time, I had a bulging disc in my back and was in agony. The reaction to codeine wasn't a good fit with the inability to move! I'll not be taking it again.
op, I hope you're feeling ok now.

I was so unwell post-op I was being looked at for possible sepsis. Turns out it was a reaction to the codeine.

I hope you're feeling better, and also that this is a lesson in not taking pills you find in the cupboard and hoping for the best.

I take codeine regularly (15mg usually) but if double up I get similar symptoms, no vomiting though.

I've never taken 60mg, but imagine it would make me vomit if I did as I've sometimes felt sick if I take 30mg. Some people do take that much, but you have to buildup to it really.

Please read the leaflet more carefully in future, you could have really hurt yourself.

I had a very similar experience with it. I honestly thought I was going to die. I felt I was dropping through the floor. It was prescribed post a medical procedure, and I will never, ever, have it again.

For info - if you Google 'drug name' followed by 'patient information leaflet' it should bring up the details of the drug including dosage. Always handy if you're not familiar with a drug.

Thanks all. It's certainly taught me a lesson (avoid taking random tablets in place of basic painkillers) particularly if you have no clue what dosage is suitable.

I once took an 8 mg tablet at work. I ended up in A&E at the hospital I worked in, still in my uniform. It was mortifying. I was newly qualified at the time. They had to get me a stretcher. It felt as if I'd downed a bottle of vodka. They even kept me in overnight for observation!

Like others say you have to build up tolerance - I can take two 30mg tablets and function totally normally after 8 hours or so. I've been taking that monthly for about ten years on and off for period pain though - so high dose no longer bothers me. OTC dose does sod all now. In future would read the leaflet and stick to lowest dose possible.

Codeine is an opiate as pp have said. It can cause bad reactions in some people and 60mg is a whopping dose! I take that now but I have chronic pain and built up from 15mg. Despite my pretty good tolerance, I can't work on that dose because it makes me too fuzzy headed.

Once again, never take prescription drugs that weren't prescribed for you.