Codeine can be a dangerous opioid, especially when mixed with other central nervous system depressants. A codeine overdose is a medical emergency.
Article at a Glance:
- Although codeine is considered a mild opioid, it is possible to overdose on the drug.
- Codeine is especially dangerous when mixed with other central nervous system depressants, like in “lean,” a recreational concoction combining promethazine and codeine.
- A codeine overdose is a medical emergency.
Codeine Overdose Risk
Overdoses on opioids like codeine claimedmore than 14,000American lives in 2019, the most recent year for which data is available. Although widely considered acomparatively weakopioid, codeine can still be dangerous and can lead to overdose and death.
Each dose of codeine lastsup to six hours, and in that time, the liver rapidly breaks its chemical structure down into morphine. From here, morphine binds to mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system to induce pain relief. This process takesas little as 30 minutesfrom one’s very first ingestion.
Codeine may suppress coughs, but it can snuff out life as well. Like other opiates, it can lead to potentially deadly overdoses, and so its potency should never be underestimated.
Drug overdose can be fatal. If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose, call911immediately. Do NOT be afraid to seek help.If you do not have access to a phone contactWeb Poison Control Servicesfor online assistance.
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What To Do During an Opioid Overdose
- Call 911 immediately.
- Administer naloxone, if it is available. Naloxone is a safe medication that can quickly stop an opioid overdose for a short time.
- Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
- Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
- Stay with the person until emergency workers arrive.
Codeine Overdose Symptoms
Like other opioids and opiates, codeine overdose symptoms are very real indicators of a medical emergency.. Examples of exhibited signsinclude:
- Irregular breathing:Slowed breathing can result from codeine misuse. This is without a doubt the most life-threatening gauge of an overdose.
- Blue lips and fingernails:Discoloration of any kind is a sure sign of oxygen deprivation. Expect this and irregular breathing to go hand in hand.
- Cool to the touch:This may be due to sweaty or clammy skin.
- Uncoordinated behavior:loss of oxygen can lead to confusion, cloudy thoughts, and fatigue.
- Tiny pupils:Small pupils are a common sign of an opioid overdose.
- Cardiovascular changes:A weak pulse and low blood pressure are signs of an overdose.
Can You Overdose on Lean (Promethazine with Codeine)?
People have diedfrom overdosing on lean, also known as purple drank. Lean is a combination of codeine with an anti-nausea medication known as promethazine to form an ingestible syrup. This liquid concoction is then consumed for recreational purposes.
Such a combination, known informally as ‘lean’, has gained a popular following among individuals with codeine substance use disorders. Both promethazine and codeine function as depressants, and this is even more the case when alcohol is involved. Combining these agents makes them more potent, which makes them a lethal combination.
How Much Codeine Is Too Much?
The amount of codeine it takes to overdose has everything to do with one’s genes. Codeine isbroken down into morphineby an enzyme called CYP2D6 in the liver. However, this enzyme is more active in some people than in others. This means that codeine may be far more or far less potent than expected in some people.
Depending on whether it is being used for a cough or for pain,codeine dosesrange from 15 to 60 mg every four to six hours as needed. Themax doseof codeine should not exceed 360 mg per day. However, the amount of codeine a person can tolerate before an overdose can vary widely depending on their CYP2D6 genetics.
When codeine is combined with other central nervous system depressants to make substances like purple drank, the mixture has an additive effect. For this reason, it may take less codeine than normal to achieve potent effects.
Where Codeine is Found
Codeine is found in many prescription medicines,including:
- Codeine pills
- Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate (formerly known as Tylenol 3)
- Butalbital with codeine
- Chlorpheniramine with codeine
- Promethazine with codeine cough syrup
- Guaifenesin with codeine cough syrup
Other medicines may also contain codeine.
Codeine Overdose Treatment
A codeine overdose is a medical emergency. If you suspect a loved one is overdosing on codeine, you should immediately give the opioid reversal agentnaloxone (Narcan)if it is available and call 911. If the person is overdosing on a combination substance like lean, it is important to remember that naloxone will only work on the codeine component. For this reason, it is very important to seek emergency medical attention. You will not get in trouble for seeking help.
Know someone who needs professional help for a codeine addiction? The Recovery Village is a great resource. With individualized care plans ranging from medical detox through outpatient and aftercare, this renowned network of treatment centers can provide you or a loved one with effective drug or alcohol rehabilitation.Call todayto learn more.
