What Are The Repercussions Of Overdose Of Codeine Prior To A Surgery?

Posted on Sat, 10 Oct 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 10 Oct 2015 Answered on

Fri, 30 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : What would happen if I took an overdose of codeine right before going into the operating room?

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please decide against this and do not go ahead with it

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you so much for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I am sure you are a smart young woman who knows what is best for her. Overdosing on codeine can cause an array of serious complications, which can interfere with surgery if at all they decide to take you in for surgery that is.

Respiratory depression and cardiac arrhythmias are some of the most important ones that can cause everybody around you to be alarmed and suspect an overdose resulting in serious complications. I hope you decide against this and please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar