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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Long Will It Take To Detox From Codeine?

Hi,

I am addicted to codeine. I have been taking for over 5 yrs. I have tapered down to 20mgs per day from 40mgs and cant seem to go lower than that as i get severe headaches and fast heartbeats. i wish to quit cold turkey now. What should i expect and for how long will i have to deal with the withdrawal symptoms? I am yet to come across a codeine detox centre in my country.

M
Mon, 6 Apr 2015
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Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Good for you. 20 mg is not a very high dosage. Side effects of huge amounts of narcotic withdrawal (higher than 100 mg per day) would include pain, shakes, sweats, huge amounts of vomiting and nausea, and diarrhea. Withdrawal of small amounts of narcotics are highly variable and often include psychological adjustment disorder issues (anxiety, panic, emotional changes) and less severe forms of the other withdrawal symptoms.

While the time course of withdrawal from big doses is well known and limited to days with short acting narcotics like codeine (peak 2-5 days). The duration from the minor withdrawal effects is highly variable. It damps down in about the same period; it gets less in a few days to a week. But some effects (changes in mood and sleep) can be there basically until you get used to them--weeks.
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How Long Will It Take To Detox From Codeine?

Good for you. 20 mg is not a very high dosage. Side effects of huge amounts of narcotic withdrawal (higher than 100 mg per day) would include pain, shakes, sweats, huge amounts of vomiting and nausea, and diarrhea. Withdrawal of small amounts of narcotics are highly variable and often include psychological adjustment disorder issues (anxiety, panic, emotional changes) and less severe forms of the other withdrawal symptoms. While the time course of withdrawal from big doses is well known and limited to days with short acting narcotics like codeine (peak 2-5 days). The duration from the minor withdrawal effects is highly variable. It damps down in about the same period; it gets less in a few days to a week. But some effects (changes in mood and sleep) can be there basically until you get used to them--weeks.