Definition

Codeine overdose is poisoning from codeine, which is found in many pain-relieving prescription medications.

Alternative Names

Methylmorphine overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

Codeine

Where Found

  • Tylenol #3
  • Actifed with Codeine
  • Robitussin A-C
  • Empirin #3
  • Gelonida
  • Voltaren forte
  • Oxa forte
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

  • Bluish colored fingernails and lips
  • Breathing - shallow
  • Breathing - slow and labored
  • Breathing stops
  • Cold, clammy skin
  • Coma
  • Constipation
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Muscle spasticity
  • Muscle twitches
  • Pinpoint pupils
  • Seizures
  • Skin itching
  • Spasms of stomach or intestines
  • Weak pulse

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

  • Patient's age, weight, and condition
  • The name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
  • When it was swallowed
  • The amount swallowed
  • If the medication was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See National Poison Control center.

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

  • Medicines to treat symptoms
  • Activated charcoal
  • Laxative
  • A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)   
  • Breathing help (possibly artificial respiration)
  • A narcotic antagonist (medicine to reverse the effect of the painkiller)

Expectations (prognosis)

Patients usually get better in 24 hours if an antidote is given.

Review Date:4/4/2006
Reviewed By: Janeen R. Azare, PhD, MSPH, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.