Kodimagnyl – abuse and addiction
Definition, side effects and treatment.
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Misuse of kodimagnyl
When we talk about addiction, it’s easy to think of addiction to drugs or alcohol. But medicines can also be addictive – and so can over-the-counter medicines like Kodimagnyl. And because it is over-the-counter and readily available, addiction can be difficult to kick.
In this post, you can read more about drug dependence and addiction to over-the-counter medicines like Kodimagnyl. You will also find information on the side effects of Kodimagnyl addiction and how best to overcome it.
The over-the-counter medicine that can create addiction
Total sales of pharmaceuticals in Denmark are measured in defined daily doses (DDD). According to the Health Data Agency’s 5-year statistics for pharmaceutical sales, total sales of pharmaceuticals in Denmark – measured in DDD – increased by 9.7% from 2016 to 2020. So our consumption of medicines is increasing – and so is our consumption of over-the-counter medicines.
At the same time, it is estimated that around 120,000 Danes suffer from pill addiction. This includes the misuse of painkillers – such as. Kodimagnyl.
Kodimagnyl is among the painkillers available over the counter in pharmacies. Kodimagnyl contains codeine and is intended for use against, for example, headache or muscle pain. When the liver converts codeine into morphine, the pain is relieved.
But Kodimagnyl’s codeine content also means that some people develop a dependence on the drug after a while. People who have developed a dependence on Kodimagnyl can take up to 20 tablets a day – and it’s not harmless.
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If you need help to cope with an addiction or if you need help for a relative, please contact us anonymously.
Side effects of Kodimagnyl overdose
All medicines come with a package leaflet. The leaflet contains important information about the medicine, including the side effects that can occur if you take too much.
Kodimagnyl is no exception. In addition to the addictive substance codeine, Kodimagnyl contains acetylsalicylic acid. Acetylsalicylic acid is an antipyretic and painkiller, and it also prevents blood from clotting.
This means that overuse of Kodimagnyl can cause ulcers. It can also lead to ulcers, which can show up as blood in the stools or vomit containing blood.
Because of the blood thinning effect, people who overuse Kodimagnyles will also tend to bruise and darken under the eyes easily.
Knowing the side effects of taking too much acetylsalicylic acid, it is not surprising that Kodimagnyl poisoning is harmful.
Kodimagnyl poisoning can even be fatal: overuse of Kodimagnyl over a long period of time can be devastating to the liver – and ultimately fatal.
Signs of dependence on Kodimagnyl
There are many different signs of addiction depending on the type of addiction you have developed. As mentioned above, dependence on painkillers can occur both unexpectedly and unintentionally. So it’s not unlikely that you’ll only become aware of the extent of your addiction when you try to stop taking the drug.
If you stop taking the medicine suddenly, you may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, muscle pain and diarrhoea.
The discomfort makes it very difficult to stop using, and so many people will continue to take the drug to get rid of the withdrawal. In this way, you keep your addiction alive.
Why painkillers can cause addiction
There can be many reasons for taking painkillers over a long period of time. For example, many of us will be prescribed painkillers by our doctor at some point in our lives – for example, following an operation or a work injury. In this case, you will be given clear instructions on when and how to stop taking the painkiller.
Most people stop taking the medicine when they are no longer in pain. But it can be difficult. The painkillers have a calming effect and the body has got used to it. This is why some people continue to take the medicine even if they are no longer in pain.
The body becomes tolerant
At the same time, the body has become tolerant to the painkiller. This means that you have to take the medicine in larger and larger doses to get the effect your body wants. Addiction can therefore be both unexpected and unwanted.
Many painkillers contain morphine or morphine-like substances that can only be prescribed by a doctor (or bought illegally).
But it’s not just medically prescribed drugs that can cause addiction. Because although painkillers containing morphine can only be prescribed by a doctor, there are over-the-counter medicines available from pharmacies that contain the substance codeine.
Codeine is converted in the liver into small amounts of morphine. This relieves the pain – but it also means that the drug is addictive.
Are you a relative of an addict?
As a partner or close relative of someone who has become addicted to painkillers, it can be difficult to know how best to help them out of their addiction. It starts with confronting the person with the problem. But it has to be done in the right way – and at the right time.
Alfa-Fredensborg can help you plan the intervention properly. We’ll help you prepare, so you’re in the best position to ensure the intervention has the outcome you want.
With us you can get help to:
- Choosing the right time
- Inviting the right people to the intervention
- Choosing the right treatment for the addict
- Be prepared for confrontation scenarios
- Be clear about the goals of the confrontation and the consequences if the conversation does not go as planned or desired.
Do you want to know more about how to best prepare for the confrontation, or do you have questions about treatment at Alfa-Fredensborg? Call us on tel. +45 48 40 60, or send us an email at sikkerpost@alfa-fredensborg.dk. We look forward to helping you.
Treatment for dependence on Kodimagnyl
Once you’ve developed a dependence on Kodimagnyl, it’s not easy to get out of it on your own. Especially because Kodimagnyl is available over the counter, it can be difficult to stop using it.
This is because the drugs are easy to obtain, making it both easier to continue using and harder to resist temptation. At the same time, the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms will make it difficult to stay off the medication.
If you have developed an addiction, we therefore recommend that you seek treatment rather than trying to quit without help. This ensures that the tapering process is carried out at the right pace and that any medical treatment is complemented by talk therapy. This provides the best conditions for a successful recovery from addiction.
Do you need help?
Do you want to get treatment or are you a relative of someone who is abusing strong painkillers? Call us or write to us here.
Then we’ll help you get started on a path out of addiction
