3 Tips to Avoid a Codeine Overdose
Codeine is a highly addictive opioid-based prescription medication. Taken every six to eight hours based upon your level of pain, it doesn’t take longer than a few weeks to build up a tolerance and require a larger dose to get the same initial pain relieving effects. However, even though you may not feel the effects of the codeine, it doesn’t mean that the drug isn’t in your system. Some may make the mistake of taking more than the prescribed dosage in order to self medicate their pain. Even taking the drug exactly as it is prescribes can result in an overdose. Unless you are vigilant, if you are taking codeine, you are at risk for a codeine overdose.
The first way to avoid a codeine overdose is to tell your doctor about all of the medications, vitamins and herbal supplements that you are taking. Side stepping dangerous drug interactions is essential. For example, some antidepressants can significantly intensify the effect of codeine and put you in an overdose situation without meaning to.
The next way to limit your chances of experiencing a codeine overdose is to simultaneously limit your intake of alcohol. Even one drink can make the soporific effect of codeine—or drowsiness—overwhelming. You may think you are perfectly okay to drive after a glass of wine with dinner and find out too late that you are not.
The third and most important way to avoid a codeine overdose is to detox off of codeine. That’s right. It’s not easy and it’s not fun, but it can be simple with Suboxone. No inpatient rehabs. No daily support group meetings. Just one appointment at Meditox with a clinical team to evaluate whether or not you will benefit from a Suboxone detox.
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