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Section TitleTobacco, Drugs & Alcohol
  • Drug Use & Abuse
    • Narcotics
      • Codeine
      • Heroin
      • Morphine
      • Opium
    Main content

    Codeine

    • What is codeine?
    • How is it taken?
    • What are the effects?
    • What are the dangers?
    • Is it addictive?

    What is codeine?

    • Codeine is an alkaloid found in opium in concentrations ranging from 0.7 to 2.5 percent.
    • It is produced from morphine.
    • It is medically prescribed for the relief of moderate pain.
    • Codeine products found on the illicit market are often combined with glutethimide (Doriden) and carisoprodol (Soma).

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    How is it taken?

    • Codeine is taken orally in pill or tablet form.

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    What are the effects?

    • Analgesia, or pain relief.
    • Sedation and respiratory depression.

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    What are the dangers?

    • Overdose can cause: bluish tinge to skin, cold and clammy skin, extreme sleepiness progressing to a possible state of no responsiveness or coma, heart problems, heavy perspiration, kidney problems, limp muscles, liver failure, low blood pressure, nausea, slow heartbeat, troubled or slowed breathing, and vomiting.
    • As with all narcotic analgesics, can be habit forming, causing dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms if not used as it is prescribed.

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    Is it addictive?

    As with all narcotic analgesics, can be habit forming, causing dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms if not used as it is prescribed.

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    Sources:
    Below are links PAMF accessed when researching this topic. PAMF does not sponsor or endorse any of these sites, nor does PAMF guarantee the accuracy of the information contained on them.

    NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse. National Institute on Drug Abuse.

    Codeine. In DEA Briefs and Background . U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

    Hydrocodone, streetdrugs.org.
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