BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuCodeine overdoseMethylmorphine overdoseCodeine is a drug in some prescription pain medicines. It is in the class of medicines known as opioids, which refers to any synthetic, semisynthetic, or natural drug that has morphine-like properties. Codeine overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. This can be by accident or on purpose.This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. Poisonous Ingredient Codeine can be poisonous in large amounts. Where Found Codeine is found in these medicines:Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate Fioricet with codeine Promethazine with codeine cough syrup Robitussin A-C Triacin-C Tuzistra XR Tylenol with codeine #3 Other medicines may also contain codeine. Symptoms Symptoms of a codeine overdose include:Bluish fingernails and lips (cyanosis) Bluish fingernails and lipsA bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. The medical term is cyanosis.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Breathing problems, such as slow and labored breathing, shallow breathing, no breathing Cold, clammy skin Confusion Constipation Drowsiness, fatigue, weakness Flushing of the skin Itching Lightheadedness, dizziness Loss of consciousness, coma ComaDecreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition. A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness from whi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Low blood pressure, weak pulse Muscle twitches Nausea and vomiting Tiny pupils Spasms of the stomach and intestines Some of these symptoms may occur even when a person takes the correct amount of codeine. Before Calling Emergency Have this information ready: The person's age, weight, and condition The name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known) When it was swallowed The amount swallowed If the medicine was prescribed for the person Poison Control Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.Poison control centerFor a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States 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. What to Expect at the Emergency Room Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. Your health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.Tests that may be done include:Blood and urine tests CT scan (advanced imaging) of the brain for neurologic symptoms Chest x-ray Electrocardiogram (ECG) ElectrocardiogramAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment may include:Fluids through a vein (IV) Medicine to reverse the depressive effects of the painkiller (naloxone) and treat other symptoms Activated charcoal (if a reversal agent is not given) Laxative Breathing support, including oxygen, tube through the mouth into the lungs, and breathing machine (ventilator) Outlook (Prognosis) Codeine is usually combined with other medicines, such as acetaminophen. Because of this, the harmful effects of these other medicines must also be treated. Shock, severe pneumonia, brain damage, and death are possible.ShockShock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means the cells and organs do n...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesAronson JK. Opioid receptor agonists. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:348-380.Nikolaides JK, Thompson TM. Opioids. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 151.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Review Date: 7/1/2023 Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. 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Codeine overdoseMethylmorphine overdoseCodeine is a drug in some prescription pain medicines. It is in the class of medicines known as opioids, which refers to any synthetic, semisynthetic, or natural drug that has morphine-like properties. Codeine overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. This can be by accident or on purpose.This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. Poisonous Ingredient Codeine can be poisonous in large amounts. Where Found Codeine is found in these medicines:Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate Fioricet with codeine Promethazine with codeine cough syrup Robitussin A-C Triacin-C Tuzistra XR Tylenol with codeine #3 Other medicines may also contain codeine. Symptoms Symptoms of a codeine overdose include:Bluish fingernails and lips (cyanosis) Bluish fingernails and lipsA bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. The medical term is cyanosis.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Breathing problems, such as slow and labored breathing, shallow breathing, no breathing Cold, clammy skin Confusion Constipation Drowsiness, fatigue, weakness Flushing of the skin Itching Lightheadedness, dizziness Loss of consciousness, coma ComaDecreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition. A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness from whi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Low blood pressure, weak pulse Muscle twitches Nausea and vomiting Tiny pupils Spasms of the stomach and intestines Some of these symptoms may occur even when a person takes the correct amount of codeine. Before Calling Emergency Have this information ready: The person's age, weight, and condition The name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known) When it was swallowed The amount swallowed If the medicine was prescribed for the person Poison Control Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.Poison control centerFor a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States 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. What to Expect at the Emergency Room Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. Your health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.Tests that may be done include:Blood and urine tests CT scan (advanced imaging) of the brain for neurologic symptoms Chest x-ray Electrocardiogram (ECG) ElectrocardiogramAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment may include:Fluids through a vein (IV) Medicine to reverse the depressive effects of the painkiller (naloxone) and treat other symptoms Activated charcoal (if a reversal agent is not given) Laxative Breathing support, including oxygen, tube through the mouth into the lungs, and breathing machine (ventilator) Outlook (Prognosis) Codeine is usually combined with other medicines, such as acetaminophen. Because of this, the harmful effects of these other medicines must also be treated. Shock, severe pneumonia, brain damage, and death are possible.ShockShock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means the cells and organs do n...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesAronson JK. Opioid receptor agonists. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:348-380.Nikolaides JK, Thompson TM. Opioids. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 151.