Codeine has analgesic properties and is generally prescribed to reduce pain in suffering patients. However, this drug, in addition to reducing pain, also induces a feeling of psychological wellness in the users. Overtime, this can lead to users wanting this feeling more and more, which in turn leads them towards addiction. Codeine does not have “slangish” street names, but it is often referred to as Empirin compound with codeine, Tylenol with codeine, and Codeine in cough medicine, Captain Cody, Cody, schoolboy; and doors & fours, loads, pancakes and syrup if combined with glutethimide.
Codeine withdrawal effects can take a long time to wear off even though quitting the habit might be relatively easier when compared with other potent drugs. Some of the codeine withdrawal symptoms are high blood pressure, insomnia, fever, vomiting, muscle twitching and pain, drowsiness, dehydration, stomach cramps, headaches, runny nose, etc.
Overdosing on codeine can cause loss of breath, weak pulse, breathing irregularity, spasticity, constipation, changes in blood pressure, etc. The long term codeine side effects are stomach bleeding, kidney failure, sexual problems, mood swings, hallucinations, blood pressure problems, vision damage, liver damage, seizures, tremors, depression, etc.