Codeine Addiction

[Jammydodger]

Dear Forum-goers, long-time reader, first time poster here,

Has anyone had any experience with alternatives to using methodone (or similar therapies) as a means to ween people off codeine? If so please elaborate :-)

[Sir_Dispensalot]

haven't really seen anyone on substitution therapy for codeine addiction but might methadone substitution be a little too strong? perhaps a low-strength buprenorphine might be more suitable? possibly and adjunct like britlofex could be used to manage withdrawal?

[Fleegle]

Just to qualify this..Jammydodger..do you mean codeine-specific addiction, or general opiate addiction? I don't think I've ever seen methadone used as a maintenance/reduction program where codeine was the only drug of (ab)use. Just out of interest, why are you asking?

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Jammydodger

Dear Forum-goers, long-time reader, first time poster here,

Has anyone had any experience with alternatives to using methodone (or similar therapies) as a means to ween people off codeine? If so please elaborate :-)

For my sins, I help out at CodeineFree - Codeine free is a support group primarily for people with problems with codeine based OTC medicines..

I suggest that you or your patient takes a look at the forum.

There's lots of practical support from people who have been through/are going through the process.

There's a printable leaflet about tapering
http://www.codeinefree.me.uk/media/CF-TaperPlan-1A.pdf

and a couple of awareness posters also at Codeinefree Media Center

Also there's
Narcotics Anonymous The Narcotics Anonymous website for England, Scotland & Wales

Which should list meetings near you.

The patient should be encouraged to talk things over with their GP

Loperamide can help with the runs; hot baths and lavender oil with the restless legs and inability to sleep.

Encourage your patient to ask any questions that they may have on codeinefree.me forums (The "Introduce Yourself" section rather than the "Open Surgery" as the latter has only a limited number of respondents)

Apologies to admin for the advertising - but he did ask

Jeff

[johnep]

We have a few pts on cod phos 30mg 1 or 2 qds. Never thought of themselves as addicts. Do keep a watch on Nurofen Plus OTC though.

By the way, is there a generic ibu + cod?
johnep

[JonF]

Originally Posted by johnep

By the way, is there a generic ibu + cod?
johnep

Cuprofen Plus if you class that as generic??

[laurabuk]

Solpadeine Migraine in the shiny blue packets. We had one guy last summer who thought he could beat us by periodically changing his brands around - but unfortunately for him I worked practically every day last summer and got wise to it.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by laurabuk

Solpadeine Migraine in the shiny blue packets. We had one guy last summer who thought he could beat us by periodically changing his brands around - but unfortunately for him I worked practically every day last summer and got wise to it.

And did what?

Jeff

[laurabuk]

Nothing really! I reported him to the Pharmacist and let the other staff know during team brief - they just said they would keep an eye out for him.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by laurabuk

Nothing really! I reported him to the Pharmacist and let the other staff know during team brief - they just said they would keep an eye out for him.

In what way does that help the patient?

Jeff (Thinking that he'd be the pre-reg tutor from hell)