Ongoing codeine use is linked to increased pain sensitivity

Large and frequent doses of codeine may increase sensitivity to pain and do not offer the same quality of pain relief as morphine, say Australian scientists.

“People who take codeine every now and then should have nothing to worry about, but heavy and ongoing codeine use could be detrimental for those patients who have chronic pain and headache,” said Prof Paul Rolan at the 2013 International Headache Congress in the US. “This can be a very difficult issue for many people experiencing pain, and it creates difficulties for clinicians who are trying to find strategies to improve people’s pain.”

More research is needed to better understand the effects of codeine, but the findings of the study do present a potential problem for people who need ongoing pain medication.