
Codeine Withdrawn. Will It Cause Diarrhea, Insomnia And Craving? How To Avoid Side Affects?

Question: Codeine Withdrawal
Hi,
I am asking on behalf of my brother. He claimed that he has been taking Codeine, which included inside some cough mixtures, for continuously for 1 year.
Now he realized that, once he stops taking, he will have diarhoea, insomnia and also the craving.
Please kindly assist and advise what can he do to stop those side effects, as he really want to quit.
Thank you and look forward to hearing fron you the soonest.
Hi,
I am asking on behalf of my brother. He claimed that he has been taking Codeine, which included inside some cough mixtures, for continuously for 1 year.
Now he realized that, once he stops taking, he will have diarhoea, insomnia and also the craving.
Please kindly assist and advise what can he do to stop those side effects, as he really want to quit.
Thank you and look forward to hearing fron you the soonest.

what is the outcome please?
Hello,
Thanks for your query.
Codeine is a opioid compound and it has withdrawal like you mentioned on stoppage. Usually during treatment of opioid addiction person need to stop opioid compound like codeine in your brother case and same time long acting opioid compound like buprenorphine or methadone are given to prevent withdrawal and these medicine gradually tapered and stop over a period of few weeks.
As treatment of cough syrup addiction may need opioid drugs which are usually available in de addiction centres only.
With early treatment prognosis (outcome) is good. If use of cough syrup continued then following consequences are possible:
• Increase tolerance leading to progressive increase in the amount of cough syrup use
• Shift to other opioids like morpine or heroin
• Shift to injectable opioids
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. In case of any doubt, I will be available for follow ups.
Regards,
Thanks for your query.
Codeine is a opioid compound and it has withdrawal like you mentioned on stoppage. Usually during treatment of opioid addiction person need to stop opioid compound like codeine in your brother case and same time long acting opioid compound like buprenorphine or methadone are given to prevent withdrawal and these medicine gradually tapered and stop over a period of few weeks.
As treatment of cough syrup addiction may need opioid drugs which are usually available in de addiction centres only.
With early treatment prognosis (outcome) is good. If use of cough syrup continued then following consequences are possible:
• Increase tolerance leading to progressive increase in the amount of cough syrup use
• Shift to other opioids like morpine or heroin
• Shift to injectable opioids
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. In case of any doubt, I will be available for follow ups.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T


Thanks for your reply. My brother wish to know whether any physical action can be help like jogging or etc, as he said he keep having diarhoea lately, is that the side effect too?
Hello and thanks again,
Jogging is helpful as it will help in craving and anxiety to some extent.
Yes, diarrhoea occurs in opioid withdrawal. Some other common complaints in opioid withdrawal are severe body ache, anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, increase perspiration, piloerection and increase salivation. Nature and severity of withdrawal symptoms varies among different individuals.
Hope I answered all your questions. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Regards
Jogging is helpful as it will help in craving and anxiety to some extent.
Yes, diarrhoea occurs in opioid withdrawal. Some other common complaints in opioid withdrawal are severe body ache, anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, increase perspiration, piloerection and increase salivation. Nature and severity of withdrawal symptoms varies among different individuals.
Hope I answered all your questions. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad


thanks.
Welcome and Regards,
Take care.
Take care.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E

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