What you need to know about Codeine pills!

Sometimes we have severe pain that ordinary painkillers do not relieve. Think about it, the pain that comes after some surgeries, or the severe pain caused by some illnesses. That's when doctors sometimes give you this painkiller called Codeine. So, what is this medicine, how does it work, and what precautions should you take while using it? This is a bit detailed, but it's very important for your health, so it's worth reading carefully.

What is Codeine?

Simply put, Codeine is a pain reliever. It is prescribed when other painkillers do not control the pain, or if you cannot tolerate other medications. This medicine works by blocking pain signals in your brain. Codeine belongs to a class of drugs called opioids . It is often used to treat severe pain.

Sometimes this medicine can be used for other things, so if you have any questions, ask your doctor or the person at the pharmacy.

What should I tell the doctor before taking this medicine?

Before you start taking codeine, there are a few things you should definitely tell your doctor. Don't hide these things, because they could affect your health.

If you have any of these conditions, tell your doctor :

• If you have a brain tumor .
• If you are a person who is addicted to drugs (Drug abuse or addiction) , or have been so in the past.
• If you have suffered a head injury .
• If you have heart disease .
• If you are a regular drinker of alcohol .
• If you have kidney disease .
• If you have liver disease .
• Low adrenal gland function .
• If you have lung disease, asthma, or breathing problems .
• If you have seizures .
• If you have stomach or intestinal problems .
• If you have taken a medicine called an MAOI (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor), for example Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate, within the past 14 days. This is very important.
• If you have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to codeine, another medicine, food, dyes, or preservatives.
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
• If you are a breastfeeding mother .

Only by telling you these things accurately will the doctor be able to decide whether this medicine is right for you or not, and how it should be given.

How do you use this medicine correctly?

This medicine is to be taken by mouth, with a glass of water. If the medicine seems hard to stomach, take it with food or a little milk. Take it exactly as directed on the prescription label. Do not take more than the amount prescribed.

When the pharmacy gives you this medicine, they will give you a special information leaflet (MedGuide) . It is important to read it carefully every time you get a refill or refill your medicine. It contains very important information about this medicine.

Talk to your doctor about giving this medicine to children . This medicine is not recommended for children under 12 years of age. Also, do not give this medicine to a child under 18 years of age after surgery to remove the tonsils and/or adenoids. This is very important, because it can cause serious side effects in children.

Overdose: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, call a poison control center or emergency room immediately. This is not a game, it can be life-threatening.

Important: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not give it to anyone else. Even if it works for you, it may be harmful to someone else.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take double or extra doses. Doing so increases the risk of side effects.

Medications that can interact with Codeine

This is a very important part. Codeine is a drug that can interact with other medications. This means that when taken with other medications, the effects of Codeine may change or cause bad side effects.

Do not take codeine with this medicine!

Never take Codeine with the following medications:

• Linezolid
• MAOI drugs (MAOIs like Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate) - This has been mentioned before.
• Methylene blue
• Ozanimod
• Samidorphan
• Tedizolid

Codeine can interact with this medication.

Codeine may interact with the following medications. Therefore, be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any of these medications.

• Alcohol: Taking codeine with alcohol can increase drowsiness, dizziness, and breathing difficulties.
• Some medications for allergies, coughs, and colds (Antihistamines): These cause drowsiness, which can be increased when taken with codeine.
• Atropine
• Some antibiotics , for example erythromycin, clarithromycin, rifampin.
• Some antiviral medications for HIV or hepatitis.
• Certain medications for anxiety or sleep.
• Some medications for bladder problems, for example oxybutynin, tolterodine.
• Some medications for depression, for example amitriptyline, bupropion, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline.
• Some medications used to treat fungal infections, for example, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and posaconazole.
• Some medications used for migraine headaches, for example, almotriptan, eletriptan, and sumatriptan.
• Some medications used for Parkinson's disease, for example benztropine and trihexyphenidyl.
• Some medications used for seizures, for example carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin.
• Some medications for stomach upset, for example dicyclomine and hyoscyamine.
• Some medications used to treat motion sickness, such as scopolamine.
• Diuretics ( medicines that cause more urine to be excreted).
• General anesthetics are used during surgery, for example, halothane and propofol.
• Ipratropium.
• Medications that relax muscles for surgery.
• Other opioid painkillers.
• Phenothiazines, for example chlorpromazine, thioridazine.
• Quinidine.

This list is not complete. Tell your doctor about all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, vitamins, and dietary supplements you take. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some of these things can interact with this medicine.

Things to keep in mind when taking this medicine

There are a few things you should pay attention to when taking codeine:

• If your pain does not go away, if it gets worse, or if you develop a new type of pain, tell your doctor.
• Over time , your body may develop tolerance to the medication. This means that the dose you were taking before may not be enough to control your pain. This is normal, especially if you have been taking this medication for a long time. Your doctor will adjust your dosage accordingly.
• If you take several types of narcotic pain medication, called opioids, at the same time, you may experience more side effects. Tell your doctor about all the medications you take. He or she will tell you how much to take. Do not take more than your doctor tells you. If you have trouble breathing, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
• Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly. Doing so can cause a severe reaction . This is because your body is getting used to the medicine. This does not mean you are addicted, right? Addiction is when you use a medicine without a medical reason. If you are in pain, you have a medical reason to take painkillers. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine you need to take. If your doctor wants you to stop taking the medicine, he will gradually reduce the dose to reduce the side effects.
• Talk to your doctor about naloxone and how to get it. Naloxone is an emergency medicine given in case of an overdose of an opioid . Taking too much opioid or taking it with other things like alcohol can lead to an overdose. Be aware of the signs of an overdose, such as trouble breathing, extreme tiredness or drowsiness, and unresponsiveness. Tell your family and caregivers where this medicine is and how to use it. After you have been given naloxone, you should definitely go to the hospital right away. It is only a temporary treatment. You may need to give more doses.
• Children may be at higher risk of side effects. If your child has slow breathing, noisy breathing, confusion, or unusual drowsiness, stop giving this medicine immediately and seek emergency medical attention.
• You may feel drowsy or dizzy . So, until you know how this medicine affects you , do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that requires mental alertness. Do not stand or sit up suddenly, especially if you are elderly. This can reduce the risk of dizziness and fainting. Drinking alcohol can interfere with the way this medicine works. So, avoid drinking alcohol.
• This medicine may cause constipation . If you do not have a bowel movement after 3 days, call your doctor .
• Your mouth may be dry . Chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on sugar-free hard candy, and drinking plenty of water can help control this. If this problem persists or becomes severe, talk to your doctor .

What are the possible side effects of this medicine?

Like all medicines, codeine can cause some side effects. Some are serious, while others are common.

Side effects that you should tell your doctor about immediately

If you experience any of these symptoms, tell your doctor as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions — skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Central nervous system depression (CNS depression) — slow or shallow breathing, shortness of breath, feeling faint, dizziness, confusion, trouble staying awake.
• Low adrenal gland function — nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness.
• Low blood pressure — dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurred vision.

Side effects that usually do not require medical advice, but should be reported if they persist

These side effects usually do not require medical attention. However, if they persist or bother you, tell your doctor :

• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting

This list may not include all possible side effects. Ask your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

How to store this medicine safely?

This is very important. Codeine is a drug that can be dangerous if not used carefully.

• Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets. This medicine can be abused. Therefore, keep it in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not give it to anyone else. This medicine is for your own use only. Selling or giving this medicine to someone else is very dangerous and against the law.
• Store at room temperature (20 to 25 degrees Celsius, 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). Protect from light and moisture. Keep the medicine bottle/packet tightly closed.
• Throw away any medicine left over after the expiration date.

This medicine can be harmful or even fatal if taken by another adult, child, or pet. Therefore, it is very important to dispose of the medicine properly when it is no longer needed or has expired. There are two ways to do this:

* Ask the pharmacy or law enforcement agency if there is a medication take-back program .

* If this is not possible, dispose of it as directed in the special information leaflet (MedGuide) you receive.

Important things for you to remember (Take-Home Message)

Codeine is a powerful painkiller, so keep these things in mind:

• Take only the amount your doctor tells you to take. Never take more.
• Tell your doctor about all other medications you take and any illnesses you have.
• Do not take this medicine with alcohol.
• The medicine may make you drowsy, so be careful when driving or working with machinery.
• Keep it in a safe place, away from children and pets.
• Do not stop taking the medicine suddenly. Consult your doctor.
• In case of an overdose, seek emergency treatment immediately. Be aware of Naloxone.

This information sheet is a summary only. It may not contain all the details. If you have any further questions about this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider. Your health is as important to you as it is to us!

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