Side Effects - Reactions

codeine reactions and symptons

WITHDRAWAL REACTIONS
Symptoms Signs
Anxiety Coughing
Apprehension Restless behaviour
Craving for drug Rhinorrhoea
Feeling of weakness Sneezing
Chilliness Rise in body temperature
Insomnia Agitated behaviour
Headache Cold, clammy skin
Nausea Salivation
Anorexia Refusal to eat
Gastrointestinal discomfort Vomiting
Abdominal cramps Diarrhoea
Muscular aches & pains Tremor

Drug tolerance occurs as the body adapts to the actions of a drug. Individuals can develop tolerance to many drugs and this is very dangerous. Individuals who develop tolerance need larger and larger doses to achieve the same original effects and therefore tend to increase the dosage. This will only increase the risk of toxic effects and dependence.

It must be remembered that regular use of a particular drug does not make an individual drug-dependent. There are other factors that must be taken into consideration. These include the characteristic of the drug itself (whether it has a low, medium or high dependence rating), the strength and frequency of doses and duration of use.

POSSIBLE SIDE-EFFECTS
Common Rare
Constipation
Nausea/Vomiting
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Agitation
Allergic reactions (eg. skin rashes)
Wheezing

Under normal circumstances, when a prescribed medication is taken as recommended by the doctor or pharmacist, there is a minimal risk of developing drug dependence. Spiritual, mental, emotional and physical factors also contribute to the avoidance or development of drug dependence. The potential of drug dependence increases when a drug is taken for non-medical reasons, as in the case of codeine-based cough syrups.

Figures obtained from the Selangor State Pharmacy Enforvement Unit shows a dramatic increase in cough mixture seizures from the year 1994 to 1995, concurrent with the increase in unregulated sales of cough remedies during the same period of time.

In view of this, the Ministry of Health had decided to tighten some regulations by banning the import and manufacture of cough mixture containing codeine in combination with ephedrine or psyedoephedrine in Malaysia as of January 1 this year.