Codeine

[EcclesCake]

Is codeine availabile OTC or is it prescription only?

[woofgang]

not straight, but mixed with paracetamol, it is. Its pharmacy only but can be purchased online. The most well known brand is Migralieve.

[Mamyalynne]

I think Co Codamol 8/500 - mix of codeine/paracetamol is OTC.

Pretty sure higher doses are prescription only.

[EcclesCake]

Thank you both.

[slinky.kate]

THATS RUGHT MAMYA,higher doses is solpadol,prescription only

[Mamyalynne]

Yes - I take 30/500 Co-Codamol , on scrip.

[Jackdaw33]

Codeine used to be available OTC in the 50s and 60s. My mother was addicted to them.

[EcclesCake]

I've been advised to take it for IBS so need the bunging up dose, I guess this will be a script dose????

[NoMercy]

8/500s are available OTC, anything higher requires a prescription.

[slinky.kate]

mamya I am the same as you,i can only order 1 box at a time as they are very addictive,so I have to phone every couple of weeks for a renewel.

[Mamyalynne]

My GP is a little more relaxed than that but I don't/dare not hammer them.

[Mamyalynne]

I'd ask the doctor who diagnosed IBS to prescribe.

[Peter Pedant]

tablets pills as above
BUT

codeine linctus is available over the counter at the discretion of the pharmacist ( that is you dont have a right, you only have a power, and the pharmacist doesnt have a duty to supply only a liberty/privilege ) and you should sign the codeine book but I havent done that for years
So choose you pharmacist wisely - some do and some dont

I think it is 15mg/ml - one adult dose four mls ( 1 tsp ) = 60mg

erm and that is about it

NOT tablets .... linctus only

[Peter Pedant]

Oh, IBS - your doctor really should be prescribing

[NoMercy]

Constipation is a side effect of codeine and quitting codeine after long-term use can cause severe overflow diarrhoea.

[EcclesCake]

The consultant advised me to take codeine hence my asking. He didn't mention a dosage and I didn't think to ask at the time. I will raise it with GP at my next appointment.

[sunny-dave]

You can also get ibuprofen/codeine otc - this is my 'nuclear option' for joint pain - note that there is 60% more codeine than in co-codamol 8/500 tablets :

http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Pharmaceutical-Ibuprofen-and-Codeine-200-mg-12-8-mg-Tablets-16-Tablets_1178970/

[ but I agree your GP is the best option ]

[woofgang]

If its just for the bunging up effect, have you tried loperamide?

[jennyjoan]

Yes loperamide also Imodium - loperamide is very cheap so when I was taking it I needed to take more.

[sunny-dave]

Oooh - given that it is designed to go from "water to concrete" (figuratively at least) I think that might be a tad drastic unless you could titrate the dose quite accurately, Woofs?

[woofgang]

1, Immodium is loperamide.
2. Loperamide is a lot less drastic when it comes to concrete than codeine. Its what is generally suggested for people who need to control the ahem “liquidity of motion” if things like mebeverine and hyoscine haven’t worked. Bit surprised at codeine as a suggestion...its not mentioned on the NHS advice page
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Irritable-bowel-syndrome/Pages/Treatment.aspx