Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at While taking codeine, you should talk to your doctor about having a rescue medication called naloxone readily available e.
Naloxone is used to reverse the life-threatening effects of an overdose. It works by blocking the effects of opiates to relieve dangerous symptoms caused by high levels of opiates in the blood.
Your doctor may also prescribe you naloxone if you are living in a household where there are small children or someone who has abused street or prescription drugs. You should make sure that you and your family members, caregivers, or the people who spend time with you know how to recognize an overdose, how to use naloxone, and what to do until emergency medical help arrives.
Your doctor or pharmacist will show you and your family members how to use the medication. Ask your pharmacist for the instructions or visit the manufacturer's website to get the instructions. If symptoms of an overdose occur, a friend or family member should give the first dose of naloxone, call immediately, and stay with you and watch you closely until emergency medical help arrives.
Your symptoms may return within a few minutes after you receive naloxone. If your symptoms return, the person should give you another dose of naloxone. Additional doses may be given every 2 to 3 minutes, if symptoms return before medical help arrives. Keep all appointments with your doctor and laboratory.
Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to codeine. Before having any laboratory test especially those that involve methylene blue , tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking codeine.
Selling or giving away this medication may cause death or harm to others and is illegal. Your prescription might not be refillable. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.
You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Generic alternatives may be available. Codeine pronounced as koe' deen. Why is this medication prescribed?
How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose? Codeine on its own is only available on prescription, unauthorised possession is illegal.
Small amounts of codeine are in some medicines which can be bought without prescription but only in pharmacies. These medicines include cough syrups, and tablets or capsules where the codeine is combined with other medicines, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin, for treating headaches, period pain etc.
Codeine containing medicines carry warnings on the packs about the risk of addiction and advise that the non-prescription medicines should only be used for up to three days at a time without medical advice. If you or someone else needs urgent help after taking drugs or drinking, call for an ambulance. Tell the crew everything you know. It could save their life. How it looks, tastes and smells What does it look like? Small white pills or tablets A syrup — like a cough syrup A solution — for injecting.
How do people take it? Codeine is used to treat mild to moderate pain and diarrhea. People usually swallow it in pills. How it feels How does it make you feel?
Skip any missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at A codeine overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Overdose can cause severe muscle weakness, cold and clammy skin, pinpoint pupils, very slow breathing, extreme drowsiness, or coma.
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up. Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults and those who are overweight, malnourished, or debilitated. Long-term use of opioid medication may affect fertility ability to have children in men or women.
It is not known whether opioid effects on fertility are permanent. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may have breathing problems or withdrawal symptoms if you start or stop taking certain other medicines. Tell your doctor if you also use an antibiotic, antifungal medication, heart or blood pressure medication, seizure medication, or medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C.
Opioid medication can interact with many other drugs and cause dangerous side effects or death. Be sure your doctor knows if you also use:. This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect codeine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Not all possible interactions are listed here. If your kidney or liver function is impaired, your doctor may decide that codeine in not appropriate for you.
There are other factors that may limit your use of codeine — for example, if you drink alcohol or take other medicines that can cause drowsiness. Your doctor is the best person to advise you on whether codeine is the right medicine for you, how much you need and how long to take it for. Naloxone is a medicine that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. A pilot program, funded by the Australian Government, is offering certain individuals in New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia this medication including the nasal spray Nyxoid free of charge and without a prescription.
Learn more here about the take home naloxone pilot. Everyone's pain is unique, and different pain-relief medicines will work in different circumstances. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before making any change to the dosage or type of medicine you take.
If you have chronic long-term pain , your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes to help manage the discomfort. This may include physical fitness and activity pacing , social activities, relaxation techniques and overall health management. You can find more information here about options for managing chronic pain.
If you are taking codeine to suppress your cough, there are several other medicines available over the counter at a pharmacy. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what may be a suitable alternative for you. If your pain is not well controlled with codeine or you have any new or unexpected side effects, see your doctor.
It's important you dispose of unwanted opioid medicines safely — unused medicines can be returned to any pharmacy. Don't keep unused codeine 'just in case', since this can lead to inappropriate use. Keep codeine out of reach of children and pets.
Never throw medicines into a garbage bin or flush them down the toilet — this is dangerous to others and harmful to the environment.
Asking about your treatment or medication is important to help you understand your options. Here's a guide to questions to ask your pharmacist or doctor before taking a medicine. See also this list of medicines that contain codeine to read the consumer information medicine CMI leaflet for the brand prescribed, or:.
0コメント