Can codeine make a child hyperactive?

Question

A friend of mine recently took his child in for a simple procedure, removing a splinter from her foot. She was developing cellulitis. When they did the procedure they gave her codeine and it made her hyperactive, she was bouncing off the walls until 1 in the morning, about 7 hours after the drug was given. Could this be a sign that she has ADHD? She is only 6, but does show some other signs that go along with ADHD. Also, how could we bring this up to him? He is actually a grandfather who has custody of her and her twin sister and I don't want to sound like I am prying into their lives, they have had it rough from the beginning.

Answer 1

i'm 49 and that stuff has a bad effect on me.like drinking to much whiskey.whoping and hollaring ... i'd check into why the doctor thought  it was the best thing for a child.at 14 the doc wouldn't give it to me for my back.

Answer 2

some children become hyperactive with codeine my daughter was given a cough syrup with codeine and it had made her very hyper. I asked the doctor about it and he said some children do have that reaction it is not ADHD if it is just from the drug.  some allergy drugs may have the same affect on her as well

Answer 3

Not ADHD. She just responded differently to codeine. Make sure it is documented in her medical records. Let every current and future healthcare provider know, so that codeine is not given again.

Answer 4

condeine can definitely make a child hyperactive, often drugs have the opposite effect on children that they have on adults

Answer 5

Any person can have what is called a paradoxical reaction to a medication.  Instead of causing drowsiness and the like from codeine, it means that person will bounce off the walls til the dose wears off.  It means that some other form of pain medication should be used instead.

It may not have anything to do with ADHD.  If the child has had a rough beginning, then it could be related to a number of things- which will need professional intervention to determine.  Too many kids are given a label of ADHD these days, when it may be something else entirely.

Answer 6

ANYTHING CAN MAKE A CHILD HYPERACTIVE...

she could have also been happy she does not have the splinter any more. But it could be the codeine mixed w/ hur being happy....

but parents are always worried liek dis  

Answer 7

I would think that codeine is far too powerful for myself, I have had several procedures done in hospital, and I have never been offered anything more strong than Panadol, which I fortunately didn't need. I would be questioning the wisdom of giving anything even as strong as that to a child of that age.

Answer 8

benadryl is often given to children  (an off label use) to calm them down. But it can have the opposite affect by making them hyperactive.

my mother in law takes regular tylenol and she says it puts her to sleep.  

different medications affect people differently and i don't think this is a sign of ADHD.