Codeine Overdose – Amount, Symptoms, Treatment

08/02/201318/12/2017 admin 1 Comment

Codeine Overdose

Codeine is a narcotic analgesic used for the management of moderate to severe pain. Codeine acts by binding on the opiate receptors found in various areas in the body, which limits the nerve impulses of pain to the brain thereby limit pain sensations. Aside from pain management, codeine may also be used as an antitussive; thereby it occurs in combination with other cough remedies.

Codeine Overdose pics

Since codeine is a narcotic, it also has the potential for codeine tolerance and dependence. It may also lead to codeine withdrawal, but tend to be milder than morphine withdrawal. Aside from these effects, codeine may also cause codeine overdose because it is not naturally occurring in the body and the increased codeine may lead to intensified effects of binding at the opiate receptors in the body.

Overdose levels of Codeine

The overdose levels of codeine depends on the age of the person. Adult dose may reach up to 120 mg in a day. An increased codeine dosage exceeding 120 mg in a day may lead to codeine overdose. In pediatric clients, a dose of more than 60 mg in a day may already produce significant codeine overdose symptoms.

Symptoms of Codeine Overdose

Symptoms of codeine overdose are similar to other narcotic overdose such as Vicodin overdose. The main effect of codeine overdose is CNS and respiratory depression because of its effect on the central nervous system. Codeine overdose symptoms include:

1. CNS Codeine overdose symptoms

Codeine is a CNS depressant. Taking codeine in excessive amounts may lead to excessive CNS depression as manifested by:

Drowsiness

Changes in the level of consciousness mark the progress of CNS depression. It may start as drowsiness, which may progress to stupor and even coma when not managed correctly.

Seizures

The alteration in the nerve impulse transmission in the brain may also lead to recurrent seizures. This is considered life threatening because recurrent seizures may lead to brain damage.

Pinpoint pupils

The pupils also constrict as a result of too much codeine. Health care workers usually monitor the pupils of the patient under narcotic use to determine codeine overdose.

Coma

Coma is the end effect of codeine overdose because of severe CNS depression. This may result in premature death because of respiratory collapse.

2. Respiratory Codeine overdose symptoms

Shallow and slow breathing

This is also a life-threatening effect of codeine overdose. The respiration rate should be frequently observed. The presence of respiratory rate that is less than 12 breaths per minute may signify respiratory collapse.

Apnea

Apnea is the absence of breathing. This usually occurs because of severe CNS depression that also affects the respiratory center of the brain located in the brain stem. This may also occur as a result of spasticity of the respiratory muscles.

3. Others

Other symptoms of codeine overdose include:

Cold, clammy skin
Nausea and vomiting
Constipation
Hypotension
Weak and thread pulse
Muscle twitches
Allergic reactions

Causes of Codeine Overdose

The main reason of codeine overdose is the presence of accidental or intentional ingestion of high amounts of codeine or codeine containing products such as cough medications. Accidental ingestion usually happens among children and geriatric patients.

Treatment of Codeine Overdose

Once codeine overdose is suspected, patients are usually detoxified to prevent further progression of the condition that may lead to CNS and respiratory depression. Managements include:

1. Gastric lavage with activated charcoal

Gastric lavage is done to cleanse the stomach. It involves the instillation of normal saline solution in the stomach through a nasogastric tube with subsequent aspiration of the fluids to ensure that the poison is removed from the upper gastrointestinal tract. Activated charcoal is also used to help absorb the toxins in the stomach to prevent intestinal absorption of codeine.

2. IV Fluid Administration

IV fluids are administered to support the vascular tone and manage hypotension.

3. Breathing support

Those experiencing respiratory affectation may require oxygen support such as oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation depending on the severity of the condition.

4. Administration of Narcotic antagonist

Narcotic antagonist in the form of Naloxone is given as an antidote to narcotic overdose. This acts by reversing the toxicity by competing on the opiate receptor sites.

References:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002613.htm

http://www.drugs.com/enc/codeine-overdose.html

http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/002613.htm