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codeine

What is Codeine?

Codeine (codeine phosphate or codeine sulfate) is one of a group of drugs called opioids. Opioids mimic the effects of naturally-occurring endorphins, which reduce pain. They help to block the transmission of pain signals and so, even if the cause of the pain is still present, the patient actually feels less pain.

What symptoms does it treat?

Codeine is used to treat symptoms of abdominal pain in IBS. It is also used to treat diarrhea because it has a constipating side effect.

How is it taken?

Codeine comes in pill form. It is also found in some over-the-counter painkillers.

REVIEWS OF CODEINE

Review by Barbara

I have suffered from IBS for years now. I've tried all sorts of remedies but nothing gives me as much relief as codeine. My problem with IBS is mostly diarrhea, cramps and speedy exits to the bathroom. I was in fear of going anywhere in case I had to rush to the loo. I'm a keen walker and love to walk in the mornings and evenings, but I'd quite often have to rush home, and it made my life a misery.

Then one year I had a really bad sore throat and started taking Nurofen Plus every four hours for a few days. In that time I realized I had had no IBS symtoms - normal motions once a day - and no cramps! So for the last few years I have taken Nurofen once a day and I am free of all symptoms! Life is so different.

However, I was recetly diagonosed with gout and my doctor has put me on the NSAID Tenoxican and he said I can no longer take Nurofen. Of course, within a day of not takine Nurofen, all my IBS symtoms were back. I know it is the codeine that helps, so I don't know if there is any other way I can take codeine without it interfering with the Tenoxican. I enjoyed reading this site and I was pleased to hear that other sufferers have had such success with codeine.

Review by Sarah Jane

I had the worst attack over the past few days, which had been brewing from the stress of a long journey, and my doctor visited with anti-sickness tablets, anti-inflammatories and the recommendation that I come off codeine! But I think I'll brave any addiction accusations and stick with it. It definitely is the drug that works, alongside Colpermin and my kinesiology practitioner.

Review by Paul

Well, I am 29 years old and I have suffered from IBS for 16 years or so now. I have been through the NHS program twice to see if they could find out what is wrong and everything always shows up OK. Anyway, I suffer from constipation IBS. If I don't eat sensibly then I can guarantee I will get constipated and ultimately end up with incredibly painful stomach cramps. This happens about once every three months.

I have however over the years found some ways of managing it. I don't know if these tips will help anyone else but I try to eat fresh home-cooked meals with fresh veg every day. I have seen a vast improvement in the time between attacks since I have been buying an organic vegebox every week. I also regularly drink prune juice. Today is the first time I have had an attack in five months. This has never happened before! And last week I ate Dominos pizza, a curry and some pre-packaged food, so it is probably no surprise I was ill!

But when I do get ill I take two to four 30mg codeine sulfate tablets over four hours and two Buccastem anti-sickness tablets (as I can get very, very ill with my IBS because the pain is so bad and throw up every 10 minutes for up to 12 hours). I then go and have a shower for 45 minutes or so. I find the hot water really helps the pain.

It's strange because I used to really dread these IBS attacks. Sometimes I would be literally writhing in agony and I would end up in hospital where they would give me 30-40mg of morphine. It would usually take two or three days to get back to work after such an attack. Since my doc prescribed codeine last year I can have an attack at 3.30am (like last night) and still make it into work by lunchtime. I am soooo glad at last I have found a way to help the pain. I can deal with the vomiting but the pain was unbearable.

Review by Tanya

I took codeine for about a year. I had IBS with diarrhea and cramping pains in my stomach every morning. It was a nightmare and the pain was unreal. I used to panic, especially if I had to go out anywhere. I took 15mg of codeine four times a day over a year. I gradually got more and more addicted to it until I was on 60mg four times a day, but it cured my stomach completely.

I didn't even think about it, but my doctor realized that I was taking too much and took me off of it. Now I take Spasmonal for the cramps and loperamide for the diarrhea. So far so good, and I just hope it stays that way. Unless you suffer from IBS you will not understand the stress and anxiety that you go through. Luckily I have a really understanding doctor.

Review by Penny

I have been taking codeine for six months now and it is a saving grace. When the pain is bad I just take one and thankfully it goes away, and it also makes me need the toilet less. The problem that I have is that sometimes the pain is worse, so I have to take more than one at a time (I am on 30mg) but then I get constipated so I have to take Senokot or something like that before I can go the toilet. I truly do not believe I am addicted as I can go days without it if I don't have any pain.

Review by Marcy

Codeine and Imodium AD have saved my life! I was on heavy pain meds before I figured out that a little codeine goes a long way to help my IBS. It is possible to take it and not get addicted. I have been taking it for IBS flare-ups for five years now and my life is almost back to the way it was before IBS.

Review by Sarah

I was so relieved to read of others using codeine. I discovered it as an aid to my IBS quite by accident, having been prescribed it for another problem. I use it only when going on a long journey (where the panic of being stuck without facilities tends to trigger an attack) and I find that I never have a problem.

I use it sparingly - just once on the outward journey and once on the return, for journeys involving flying, up to a maximum of four or five times a year. The additional drowsy effect also seems to slow down the panic and adrenalin rush which leaves me less open to attacks in the first place. I do not travel without it and it has dramatically reduced the amount of Imodium I used to need to be able to travel on holidays, making me a much easier holiday companion!

Review by Petita

I have coped with IBS for over 20 years. The only product that has truly made my life any better is codeine phosphate. Whenever I have a long trip, a stressful situation or a really bad turn I pop one or two 15mg codeine tablets and know that however bad it gets I'm not going to embarrass myself. Basically I can hold on.

The only side effect that I've experienced over the years is that as I have learnt to cope and gained more confidence I have had to reduce the amount I take, as it can cause me to get a bit bunged up. This product was recommended to me by a fellow IBS sufferer. I had to ask my doctor for it as his only answer was to send me to see a psychologist as it was all in my head. Thankfully now I have a very understanding doctor.

Review by Tanya

My IBS started just before I got pregnant with my first child and it was terrible - I had such pain in my stomach and needed the toilet quickly, up to eight times a day. The doctors at the hospital told me it was because I was pregnant, but after my daughter was born it still carried on. I registered with a new doctor and she is so nice and understanding. She gave me codeine which works well, but then my stomach got worse again, so I combine loperamide (Imodium) with codeine. It's brilliant and works so well I don't have to panic when I go out if there is not a toilet nearby.

Review by Jim

I have had IBS all my life. I am a 56 year-old male. My version is diarrhea which can happen within seconds of a warning twinge. I will not go into the sordid details. Twelve years ago my then doctor, after a string of defeated doctors, was on the verge of giving up when as a last throw of the dice he told me to try codeine phosphate tablets. These are painkillers with a side effect of constipation.

I only take the tablets when I travel and the effect has changed my life. They don't completely bung me up but the physical effect is complemented by the mental stress levels being reduced. They can make you drowsy, so caution must be employed.

Review by Sue

I started taking paracetamol and codeine analgesics when I started suffering from IBS - my GP could not help other than to say 'Horror! I can't give you codeine by itself!' This was five years ago after the death of my husband (obviously stress-related diarrhea IBS).

A few months ago, it started up again, but larger and larger doses of codeine (up to 180mg per day) give me no relief - in fact, I feel they are making me incontinent at night, quite apart from the dependency factor. Nothing helps now. I feel I should have stopped taking the codeine when my symptoms abated rather than my body becoming used to it. I am scared to stop taking it now in case my symptoms become far, far worse - if that's possible.

Review by Oliver

I suffer from diarrhea-predominant IBS and I tried many different diets to try to control it and avoid drugs, but nothing worked. My doctor convinced me to try codeine and I am very happy with the results. As said on this page, it is addictive in large doses, but I take only a small amount when I need it. I don't see anything wrong with taking codeine regularly because it has such a great effect on my symptoms.

Review by Leigh

I came across the wonder of codeine completely by accident a few years ago. I found that it works wonders in relieving the pain of IBS and also the number of bowel movements. I wouldn't leave for a long journey or a night out without taking it now. Fortunately for me I have found no lasting side effects nor have I become addicted. By the same token I try not to take it every day, only when I can feel a bad episode coming on.

Review by Kumar

I suffered from IBS for years without knowing what it was. A few months back a gastroenterologist suggested codeine sulfate and it worked like a miracle. I am still on a regular dosage of codeine and if I stop taking it even for one day I experience IBS-D. Whatever the side effects may be I would recommend this medicine since it has improved my quality of life very much.

Review by Pam

Codeine is what started me on this whole IBS mess. I was addicted to codeine, which I think in turn caused me to have IBS. Now that I'm off the codeine, I'm stuck with IBS. I've been off the stuff for months now, and my IBS symptoms have not gotten better since. Codeine, as everyone knows, constipates. A codeine addict is pretty well permanently constipated...or that is until their insides cannot hold any more waste.

Review by G

I have suffered from IBS for about five years. By accident I have found out that codeine phosphate helps to lessen the pain. When I told my doctor he said that you may become addicted if you use it continuously, so only take it when you have severe pain. I really recommend it.

Review by Mark

I have suffered from IBS for four years now. I have found codeine phosphate to help me so much. I only use it if I have a bad turn but I would recommend it for sure, just make sure that it is used as a last measure, as you must not get reliant on it.

Review by Claire

I took codeine to break the painful diarrhea when my IBS suddenly alternated...it's lovely to feel relaxed but now I won't go anywhere without it on me. I won't go on a long journey without taking it, or I get too nervous. And being nervous is the main trigger for me!

Do you suffer from IBS? Have you tried codeine? Please send in your review.