I used to be on methadone... codiene question?

Question

So I have been really really sick with a shoking fever and horrible cough for 4 days.

Yesterday I had a tablet of panadiene forte (500mg paracetimol, 30mg codiene) and my fever went away completely and I got out of bed for a few hours.

I went to the shops and bought some OTC panadiene (only 10mg of codiene) as I was concerned about taking too much codiene.

I came off methadone about 6 months ago and was on it for 10 years.

Question 1:

If I take these for 3 days am i like to feel any withdrawal?

Question 2:

What is a "safe" level of codiene for me to take?

Answer 1

Codiene has absolutely no effect on a fever.  You don't need it.  It is a pain reliever.  Ask yourself why you want it.

Answer 2

It should be a safe level to take, especially if its over the counter, it probably will register if you are giving urine samples, fair play to you it must be great to be off mets after 10 years! best of luck, you shouild not feel withdrawl, safe level is about  60mg in 24 hours, take care! f**k the begrudgers!

Answer 3

No you should not have any withdrawal symptoms on the lower dose (10mg) pf codeine. You can take up to 8 tablets per day safely.

Answer 4

Tylenol alone should bring your fever down. Codeine has nothing to do with bringing down fever. Codeine might help with sleeping and with coughing.

1. Most people would not have withdrawal from taking that for 3 days if it were taken as prescibed (not self-medicating).

2. If you are a narcotics abuser, you should avoid narcotics whenever possible. It is like alcohol to an alcoholic or money to a spendthrift or gambling boats to a gambler or s*x to a s*x addict. All addictive behaviors that need to be controlled.

Answer 5

i wouldn't think so, i hope you don't cause that sucks

Answer 6

codeine is addictive even in small amounts. If you have an additive personality, you would be best not to take over the counter drugs. I am not sure where you live, but where I am codeine is only available through a doctor for this reason.

Answer 7

First of all congratulations on the release from a historically debilitating drug.  I applaud you.  Secondly, if you are an adult running such a high fever you should go to the nearest hospital.  The hospital will provide you with the right prescription if you give then you history.

Good Luck.

Answer 8

Seriously, talk to your doctor. No one on Yahoo is going to be able to tell you what is "safe" for you.

Why were you on methadone for 10 years? Isn't that for coming off heroin?

Answer 9

If you know you have an addictive personality then avoid what you already know is dangerous for you.

Answer 10

Honestly, there are many medical techs and professionals on this site who CAN give you accurate advice on this question; I mean it is not that complicated of a question.  I am one of these people-I've worked in my Father's pharmacies (a doctorate of Pharmacy-PharmD) since I was 11, and I am a licensed, certified, and registered pharm. tech in three states.

The other people commenting here are ignorant, misinformed, and judgemental; they know nothing.

The usual recommended dose of codeine is (with the Tylenol #3's {300mg Tylenol + 30mg codeine}) is 3 to 4 tabs per day. The max a day (of solely codeine) for opiate-naive patients/clients (no past experience, hence no tolerance) is about 60-more or less.  But because of the Methadone being taken recently, you will, no doubt, require a higher dose.  But going over 3 grams (3K mg's) of acetaminophen can cause stomach lining damage.

So I'd say even if you were to take it for a week, being cautious & only when needed, it be optimal and you will not go through any withdrawls as long as you keep the dose of codeine around 90-150.  Yes, if you get relief from lower doses-stick to that...but I remember something about Methadone's (dolophine: named after and developed for Hitler!) potential for re-sensitizing the opiate receptors, hence bringing the tolerance down.  But I think it is more of the similar drugs like buprenorphine, naloxone, and naltrexone that have a stong effect on the re-sensitizing.

Long usage of pure opiates (not Methadone though) de-sensitize receptors, making them harder to stimulate for their various effects...where tolerance basically comes from.

Oh and a 'fun fact' :  10% of every codeine dose is metabolically transformed into morphine.  So if one were to take 300mg's of codeine...you'd get the common therapeutic dose of morphine-30mg's).  But 300 is a lot, needless to say.  Opiates cause respiratory depression.  There are two types and codeine: codeine phosphate (CIV-class 4 narcotic) and codeine sulfate (CII-class 2 narcotic).  CIV's are like xanax, valium, and other benzodiazepines.  CII's include adderall, ritalin, morphine, oxycodone products, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), d-amphetamine (dextroamphetamine-Not levoamphetamine which is very weak), fentanyl (Duragesic).

You'll be fine-I know it.  Ya just gotta have faith in yourself and 'know thyself' -- a latin proverb...you may have seen it in the Matrix trilogy, when he was speaking with the oracle in her little apartment.

By the way--consulting a Doc on this issue is not a good idea; they judge all drug abusers and users...s/he will lecture you and put you down.  Not to mention that fact that they have not been in Medical school for, oh, about a quarter of a CENTURY! (Some-around 40 years)  Their memories are fading and almost all stick to a select group of pharmaceuticals in each class/affliction/conditon.

Answer 11

you should be ok, it's a safe level....

You will be fine with the withdrawel thing because you know what to look for.... but maybe see a gp