Common side effects of codeine

Codeine is the most commonly prescribed opioid medication for mild to moderate pain. It is an approved treatment for headache, back pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and cancer related pain. It’s also available over the counter in cough medicine and lower-strength forms, often combined with paracetamol or ibuprofen. Codeine is metabolised as morphine in the liver and excreted by the kidneys, which means it can create adverse side effects in some people, particularly those who already have impaired hepatic or renal function.

As with all medications, codeine comes with a list of recognised side effects. These include constipation, nausea, drowsiness, confusion, vertigo, dry mouth and headaches. Other adverse effects include decreased libido, fatigue and sexual function, itchy skin, bloating, hypersensitivity, blurred vision, tremors, stomach cramps, weakness and pancreatitis. People who suffer with sleep apnoea and other lung disorders are also at higher risk for respiratory problems (1).

The real issues start to arise when someone takes codeine in higher amounts or more frequently than initially prescribed. Codeine addiction has wide ranging effects. As well as negatively impacting your work, home and social life, abusing codeine can lead to noticeable physical and mental symptoms, such as:

Cold and clammy skin
Liver and kidney damage
Anxiety and depression
Muscle cramps, aches and pains
Breathing difficulties
Seizures, coma and death

Some people use codeine to self-medicate for emotional problems or insomnia as well as physical pain. On its own, codeine already presents known side effects, but increasingly it is used in combination with alcohol and other drugs, such as new psychoactive substances (NPS), which makes treatment for codeine addiction more complex.

Treatment for codeine side effects

Prescription drug addiction often requires professional help, and a residential rehab programme gives you the best level of support. It can ensure you have the correct pharmacological and psychological treatment during your recovery. The first part of a clinical detox involves removing codeine from your system while balancing other delicate processes. In some cases, you may be prescribed an opioid agonist, such as buprenorphine or methadone, along with other medications to manage side effects such as nausea, stomach problems and pain.

This should help you to have a comfortable withdrawal and clear your mind ready for therapy. Following this, you’ll start to address some of the reasons behind your addiction. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is especially powerful in helping you to make sense of your addiction. Through one-to-one counselling sessions and group therapy work, you will learn how to heal the emotional impact of your codeine dependence. Somatic healing techniques, including meditation and breathwork, are useful for interrupting negative thought patterns and can be used when you return home to break the cycle of addiction.