Pondering about codeine

[wooger]

I am very naive about opiates, it's something that I have never been attracted to so I haven't really researched much about them at all

but one thing I was wondering is why do they put codeine in pills? It might just be hysteria but I read an article not too long ago (I'll edit this is I can find the link) that said putting 8mg of codeine with 500mg of paracetamol would have very little effect in reducing pain but its enough to cause a physical dependence if taken for long enough...

so why do they include it?

 

[NeighborhoodThreat]

For those without opiate tolerance it does help a bit, the codeine and APAP have synergy with each other in regards to analgesia.

 

[wooger]

is it bad practice to prescribe them for people in alot of pain? I have an elderly family member who is prescribed 8 a day (8mg codeine and 500mg apap) who is also on a buprenorphine patch (I THINK its 50micrograms/hour)

I just wonder why they would continue her on those pills if she is already having a very strong opiate...

 

[flippinhippies]

It might be in combination for breakthrough pain, and the apap has the added anaglesic effect like previously mentioned.
Thats a lot of apap per day though..

 

[wooger]

she often doesnt take the prescribed amount because she is very old so wouldnt remember to take them every 6 hours... and she doesnt complain about pain at all, except towards the end of the week when the patch is ready to be changed...

I just worry about her paracetamol intake like you mentioned, should it be discontinued do you think? She hasnt been properly seen by a doctor for a while now (shes in her 90s, and they have been prescribing her temazepam for years for sleep so they dont seem very professional)

 

[flippinhippies]

im no pharmacologist so im not sure how strong the drug interaction is here. Its not a damaging dose but at that range I have gotten sick before.

You said she is not taking all her perscribed amount which may be alright. If she is not complaining about pain then the patch is probably doing its job.

Maybe ask the doctor for 15/500s so she would only take 4 a day if thats would be easier to remember.

 

[wooger]

thanks Ill have to ask, she is also having alot of problems with opiate constipation which is really hard for her because she is becoming very confused about life in general and doesnt really understand why all this is happening to her... I guess I will try and get a doctor to come take a proper look at her

getting old sucks, but thank you for your advice, I appreciate it