Is 45mg codeine phosphate a low dose?

[pleaseplease]

I really need some advice on the amount of codeine I take. I have panic disorder and agoraphobia and, as a result of my extreme anxiety, I suffer from severe diarrhea. I take codeine phosphate because it gives me normal bowel movements due to the drug's constipating effect. I have found that 45mg is just the right amount I need to have normal bowel movements and to feel like a normal person. I only take codeine a few days a week because my doctor has warned me it's addictive. Without codeine, I go to the toilet about 10 times during panic attacks and have to take 20mg of Imodium for it to stop! Basically, I want to take codeine more frequently so I don't have to endure the horrible diarrhea. It says on the leaflet inside the drug pack 'for treatment of diarrhea: do not take more than 240mg in 24 hours'. I have never take anywhere near that amount! So 45mg must be a low dose right? Ideally, I would like to be able to take 45mg codeine every other day so I can have normal bowel movements and feel like a normal person and to be able to leave the house without worrying about diarrhea. I do not take the drug because it gives me a high or any euphoric effect. Can I build a tolerance to the drug on just 45mg taken every other day? Is there anyone else who takes it frequently, such as every other day or even every day? And can I become addicted on that dose? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[NeighborhoodThreat]

45mg is a low dose. If you take codeine daily (or every other day) you will develop a tolerance. Tolerance to the constipating (anti-diarrhea) effects of opioids like codeine isn't really an issue though. If you take opioids on a regular basis for extended periods of time chances are you will become dependent on them.

This isn't a chatroom. It's a forum. I'm going to remove the "please help!" part of your title. We're not an emergency service and don't really allow "urgent" type threads...but since your question actually isn't an emergency situation I'm leaving the thread open. Your question will be answered quickly enough.

 

[pleaseplease]

Okay thank you, I'm sorry for adding the urgent bit at the end and thank you for keeping it open So just to clarify, even I build tolerance/dependence to codeine, the constipating effect will remain?

 

[dopemegently]

Maybe you should look into non-opiate solutions to your problem? Btw The minimum psychoactive for me was 60 mg when I had no tolerance.
I only posted because it seems using true opiates could be risky. Loperamide should be a far, far more effective solution to your problem.....