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What happens when you mix codeine and alcohol
Side effects of mixing alcohol and codeine can include
Dizziness
Sluggishness
Drowsiness
Shortness of breath
Itching
Hives
Palpitations
Respiratory Depression
Cardiac Arrest
Coma
Seizures
Death
Interestingly, it is impossible to tell what effect codeine and alcohol will have on an individual due to their own unique genetic make up and tolerance. It is never advisable to mix codeine and alcohol due to the chances of mild, moderate and severe side effects. If you are having an adverse reaction from mixing codeine and Alcohol it’s imperative that you head to your local emergency room.
Alcohol and codeine
Alcohol and codeine creates a that has different effects depending on the dose: many people feel stimulated and strengthened at low doses of alcohol and codeine and even mixing a small amount of codeine and alcohol is not recommended.
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Mixing alcohol and codeine
The primary effect of alcohol is influenced by an increase in the concentration of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which is found in the spinal cord and brain stem, and by a reduction in its effect on neuronal transmitters that are excitatory. When alcohol is combined with codeine this primary effect is exaggerated, increasing the strain on the body with unpredictable results.
Alcohol and codeine affects dopamine levels in the brain, causing the body both mental and physical distress. Larger amounts of codeine and alcohol have a greater adverse effect yet leading medic al recommendation is that smaller does can be just as harmful and there is no way of knowing exactly how codeine and alcohol is going to affect an individual before they take it.
Taking codeine and alcohol together
People who take alcohol and codeine together will experience the effects of both substances. Technically, the specific effects and reactions that occur due to frequent use of codeine and alcohol depend on whether you consume more alcohol in relation to codeine or more codeine in relation to alcohol.
The use of significantly more codeine with alcohol will lead to sedation and lethargy, as well as the synergistic effects resulting from a mixture of the two medications.
People who take both alcohol and codeine may experience effects such as:
reduced motor reflexes from alcohol and codeine
dizziness from alcohol and codeine
nausea and vomiting of the codeine
Some people may also experience more euphoria, depression, irritability or all three. A combination of alcohol and codeine leads to significantly more lethargy which can easily tip over into coma, respiratory depression seizures and death. Be cautious about continuing on with your daily life as a functioning alcoholic as it can disguise some of the more serious health impacts.
Alcohol Vs codeine
Taking codeine in sufficient quantities increases the risk of a heart failure. Additionally, people under the influence of codeine and alcohol may have difficulty forming new memories. With alcohol vs codeine in an individual’s system they become confused and do not understand their environment. Due to the synergistic properties of codeine when mixed with alcohol it can lead to confusion, anxiety, depression and other mental disorders. Chronic use of codeine and alcohol can lead to permanent changes in the brain. Stopping Alcohol Consumption can cause alcohol withdrawals while stopping codeine can also cause withdrawals.
codeine Vs alcohol
Studies investigating the effects of drugs such as codeine and alcohol have shown that the potential for parasomnia (performing tasks in sleep) is dramatically increased when codeine and alcohol are combined. Severe and dangerous side effects can occur when medications are mixed in the system, and sleep disorders are a common side effect of taking alcohol and codeine together.
When a small to medium amount of alcohol is combined with codeine, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea can occur. According to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) most ER visits and hospitalizations caused by too much alcohol were associated with other substances such as codeine.
codeine and alcohol
Codeine is an opiate and prodrug of morphine mainly used to treat pain, coughing, and diarrhea. It is also commonly used as a recreational drug. It is found naturally in the sap of the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum. It is typically used to treat mild to moderate degrees of pain. Greater benefit may occur when combined with paracetamol (acetaminophen) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Evidence does not support its use for acute cough suppression in children or adults. In Europe, it is not recommended as a cough medicine in those under 12 years of age. It is generally taken by mouth. It typically starts working after half an hour, with maximum effect at two hours. Its effects last for about four to six hours. Codeine exhibits abuse potential similar to other opioid medications.
Common side effects include vomiting, constipation, itchiness, lightheadedness, and drowsiness. Serious side effects may include breathing difficulties and addiction. Whether its use in pregnancy is safe is unclear. Care should be used during breastfeeding, as it may result in opiate toxicity in the baby. Its use as of 2016 is not recommended in children. Codeine works following being broken down by the liver into morphine; how quickly this occurs depends on a person’s genetics.
To avoid any residual toxicity it is advisable to wait until the codeine has totally cleared your system before drinking alcohol, even in small quantities.
Overdose on codeine and alcohol
Overdose on codeine and alcohol is alarmingly common and can often be fatal. In the case of Overdose on codeine or if you are worried after mixing codeine and alcohol call a first responder or proceed to the nearest Emergency Room immediately.
If you are worried about someone who has taken too much codeine or mixed alcohol with codeine then call a first responder or take them to get immediate medical help. The best place for you or someone you care about in the case of a medical emergency is under medical supervision. Be sure to tell the medical team that there is a mix of codeine and alcohol. The combination of alcohol and codeine increases the likelihood that a person would be transferred to intensive care.
If you are drinking too much alcohol it may be worth understanding if you are suffering from alcoholism. If you are please consider reaching out for help.
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