When a cold or flu strikes, many people turn to a codeine-based drug to help them through their ailment. For the most part this makes good sense, however, if used incorrectly a codeine user could be at risk of failing a random drug test and may not be safe to undertake daily tasks, such as driving a car.
What is codeine?
Codeine – found in products such as Codral Cold and Flu, Nurofen Plus and Panedeine – is sold over the counter in Australia. It’s an opioid (in other words it’s a derivative of opium) and is used to treat mild to moderately severe pain. The use of codeine generally rises in winter due to a greater incidence of colds and flus.
Codeine works by slowing the messages travelling between the brain and the rest of the body. If codeine is taken at the recommended dose it’s perfectly safe for most people. The issue arises when people don’t follow the recommended dose and double or triple the dose in the belief that it will help them feel better or get better quicker.
This misconception leaves people at risk of codeine side effects, which aren’t that different from the side effects experienced by users of heroin, which is also an opioid. These side effects include drowsiness, tiredness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, erratic behaviour and sweating.
The dangers of codeine
People who use codeine above the recommended dosage put themselves at risk of failing a random drug test at work or on the roads. This is evidenced by workplace drug testing conducted by Integrity Sampling, which shows an increase in positive codeine tests during the winter months. What’s also alarming is a rise in positive codeine drug tests recorded by Integrity Sampling over recent years.
While positive codeine drug tests are a concern and provide a headache for workplace owners and managers, what’s more of a concern is that people who use codeine above the recommended dose put themselves and others at risk. Clearly people who are experiencing side-effects such as drowsiness, confusion, blurred vision and dizziness should not be driving vehicles, working around machinery and doing manual work. However, every day people are doing this because of the misuse of codeine.
This is perhaps most concerning for people who drive trucks, taxis and other vehicles for a living.
Play it safe
So the advice is simple: for codeine and in fact any over the counter or prescription drug, only take the drug at the recommended dosage. And if you experience any side effects, stop taking the drug immediately and seek medical assistance.
Bio:
This article was researched and written by Integrity Sampling, an Australian company that has helped hundreds of customers throughout Australia with workplace drug testing and alcohol testing services since their inception in 2001.
