What is codeine contin. I take 200mg twice a day for more than 4yrs should I be worried?

Answer 1

400mg of codeine contin (a slow release preparation of codeine) over the course of 24 hours is quite a high dosage. (Normally this type of dosage would be reserved for a patient dealing with cancer related pain, whereas a patient with severe lower Back pain would be on 100mg twice daily. Although if the patient is particularly large higher dosages may be considered reasonable). This preparation of codeine is designed to release into you system over 12 hours, meaning there is no sudden "high" immediately after you take it, and the effect does not run out quickly.

Four years is quite a long time to be on this dosage, however if your doctor is aware that this is the dosage which you are taking then you probably don't need to worry. However, since the dosage is quite high it may be worth discussing with your doctor whether it is possible for you switch to something stronger but at a low dosage (this way, potential side-effects are minimized because the dosage is lower.) The bottom line is, if this dosage is necessary for you to maintain a decent quality of life (and your doctor is aware of your dosage), it isn't really necessary to worry how long you have been on it for, since your health would be worse without it.