Codeine and drowsiness: Hi, so I've been... - Pain Concern

Pain Concern

38,120 members11,738 posts

Codeine and drowsiness

luthien profile image
5 Replies

Hi, so I've been prescribed codeine for a pre existing condition. At the moment I only need to take it about two days a month.

If I take the 1x30mg 2 times a day I'm usually okay; pain is manageable and I can get on with my day. However if I take the upper dose of 1x30mg 4 times a day I get really drowsy, kind of jet lagged feeling like I'm not really there and sluggish, but it kicks the pain - I do office work and travel by bus. I know it's a side effect but I was just wondering if there's any combinations I could try number of tablets vs times a day? I know painkillers aren't cumulative. It actually suggests 2x30mg 4 times a day.

Written by
luthien profile image
luthien
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
5 Replies
Zulia322 profile image
Zulia322

Hi, I am taking 2x3times a day but have added Tumeric capsules to my daily medication and it has made a huge difference, try them, nothing to lose.

luthien profile image
luthien in reply to Zulia322

ah I shall do thanks :)

cyberbarn profile image
cyberbarn

Not everyone metabolises codeine in the same way. Some people are ultra fast metabolisers and they get bigger effects faster but they don't last long. Most people are average metabolisers, but some are slow metabolisers, this means that they take longer to metabolise codeine but it also takes longer for it to leave their system. This could be what is happening with you. This could be why you are okay on twice a day, but when you take it four times a day there is a cumulative affect because the last dose isn't cleared from your body before the next dose starts to be metabolised.

It might be a good idea to talk to a pharmacist about this, and then your GP.

luthien profile image
luthien in reply to cyberbarn

thanks for the info :)

I only have them every so often so I shall check back in with my GP before I next need them.

I'm still feeling groggy and I've stopped taking just one days worth of tablets 16 hours ago

Pepper2nd profile image
Pepper2nd

I only take one 15mg when I can't sleep and have to be up early the next day. Works a treat but I pay for it with severe constipation. I take over the counter Senna tablets with it. I don't know how I would cope on a higher dose. Besides it is very addictive and I had to fight my case with my GP to get a prescription.

You may also like...

Codeine withdrawel

co-codamol, she is taking two tablets three times a day, the dr has given her the 15mg tablets and...

Codeine addiction

me to take them 2 hrs apart. he also increased the gabapentin to 2×300mg 3×a day for nerve pain ..I...

Chronic pain, injections & coming off codeine

headaches', and I'm currently withdrawing from codeine to see whether it helps, which I'm finding...

Pain meds make drowsy but no deep sleep

them, the effect it takes the edge of pain but most of them make me very drowsy. Even though I sleep

What to take for pain? I am on 60mg codeine and 2x500mg paracetamol 4 times a day. Struggling to get to grips with the level of pain.

is just that every time I come on this site, it seems that everyone else is taking a lot more drugs...