Codeine and Constipation: What Users Say

• Dea...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 21, 2019

For Diarrhea "I have been taking Tylenol 3 for 15 years for my IBS. I was able to live a good life and work, but now at 65, the night is full of trips to the bathroom, and the doctors have told me I must get off the codeine as it is ruining my colon. I was on 3-4 daily and 4-6 Lomotil daily. I am now one month in withdrawal. I go to the bathroom 15-30 times a day. Nothing can be done for me for 6 months, so they say. This is a real drag. I am totally homebound at this point. Withdrawal is really tough, but I have no desire for the drug emotionally, just for the constipation effects. Trying the FODMAP diet, but it has made no difference yet."

• 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."

• ros...
• January 17, 2016

For Pain "Fantastic would be suffering without! I take co-codamol 30/500 for toothache that I'm getting work on and having to wait a while for referral to go through. But this really does make the pain vanish in about 10 minutes! Only downside is it can make you feel very drowsy and very slight stomach ache, but I take it to help me sleep as that's when the pain is at its worst, and it does help you sleep. Also causes constipation, and the pain-free moments only last a few hours."

• Ney...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2020

For Pain "This drug worked amazingly for my pinched nerve in my neck. It dulled the pain, HOWEVER, I got a severe case of constipation after taking it for over a week and a half. I do want to try it again, but I’m going to see my GP about how I can combat this."

• Anonymous
• August 25, 2010

For Pain "'Graduated' to codeine after finding paracetamol and aspirin were not doing it for my foot (varicose) ulcer pain. Helpful in small doses, but I was surprised at the level of drowsiness it caused, even when off the drug for more than 24 hours. Also, eating lots of fruit is helping to alleviate some of the constipation I was warned about."

• Hom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2023

For Cough "Having a chronic cough for more than 10 years and after being frustrated from taking every over-the-counter medication, I was diagnosed with acid reflux. Started taking PPIs, and I was coughing less, but still, it never stopped until I tried codeine. Man, what a miracle for coughs. Be warned that it can constipate you."

• Bir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2013

For Pain "Excellent pain relief for ovarian cancer. Only downside, terrible constipation that no amount of drinking or eating prunes, kiwi fruit, or bran made any difference."