Codeine and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Ead...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 10, 2017

For Pain "I have been taking codeine for 15 years+ with diazepam and Tylenol. I can no longer take anti-inflammatories too, unfortunately. I have a huge tolerance, regularly taking 240-300 mg a day (8-10 tablets). On pain-free days, I need to take 1 tablet about every 12 hours or withdrawal starts after about 18. That is a bit like having a dose of flu for a few days, combined with severe diarrhea in my case. During rare pain-free periods, it isn't worth weaning myself off completely because the pain is never away long. Everyone is different; 60 mg gives me 2 hours max. relief. No constipation, dizziness, or nausea-the latter often experienced briefly on first use (including posters here)-dose problems too big. Constipation is common and worse than the pain, I'm told, so go easy."

• Col...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2023

For Diarrhea "I have suffered for years with nighttime cramps and diarrhea. I was prescribed Co-codamol (a combination of codeine and paracetamol) for arthritis pain. I found that Co-codamol stopped diarrhea, it was like a wonder cure. I take half a tablet each night. My GP said it was fine to manage my IBS symptoms this way."

• Top...
• January 30, 2018

For Diarrhea "Took just one as prescribed by the oncologist who I was seeing for a yearly cancer check. Prescribed one each night for 14 days. Only further investigation if this did not work. Took 1 only. Worked immediately, absolutely brilliant. Haven't taken any more. Trouble is, what was the cause of my diarrhea?"