A friend of mine needs this drug, which he has been eating for a back condition for many many years. (The back condition was caused by a VC mortar grenade, or so he says).
He is out, and 600mg of ibubrufene does not really do it for him. OK, I know that you can’t get it OTC here, however according to him, you can get it legally OTC in Vietnam, which he does not really want to go to, or Cambodia. I am thinking about getting him some, what are the restrictions on what you are allowed to carry in, and how do you check on that.
You do know what codeine is derived from, yeah? It is a very controlled substance. Let him do his own drug run.
Having said that, codeine, while definitely addictive, will cause constipation and may even cause codeine migraines, is one of the “cleanest” and best general pain killers around. It’s derived from opium. I consider it a home first aid kit essential.
By clean I mean that your body essentially excretes it with little harm to any organs. Ibuprofen, by contrast, which is essentially an antiinflammatory drug - so good if swelling is the cause of pain - will burn a hole in your stomach. That’s why they say eat before taking it. Panadol will rot your liver, and can and will kill you. That’s why they tell you to take a maximum of x4 tablets a day - latest advice, down from x8!
Dihydrocodeine is available here in HK> It’s a codeine which they’ve cut out the stoned side and focused solely on the pain. I’m not sure that’s legal.
In Australia there seems to be an issue with people popping way more of an over the counter Panadol and codeine combo “pain pill”, and with sizable levels of codeine in it.
HG
Edit: Your friend should find a good doctor in Taiwan and get it prescribed. if it shows up in a urine test, he could be charged. It shows positive for morphine and codeine. Heroin, essentially
My old man was addicted to something like that. I think it was called Codis. Probably a contributing factor (along with smoking) to why he died in his 40’s.
He should see a pain management doctor, not rely on mates bringing in controlled substances and exposing them to the associated risk.
I know Taiwan medics are loathe to give pain killers, but if he can track down a pain specialist, he should get something that can target the specific source of his pain.
Worth knowing that possession of codeine without a prescription, can get you locked up in some countries. Greece is one such. I recall an Australian tourist getting nabbed with a fairly low dose common over the counter combination of codeine and panadol a few years back. Didn’t have a prescription because it isn’t required in Australia.
My ex had a back injury and used to go in weekly or more for shots of morphine until I figured out that just about all that clinic did was dispense morphine and insisted he find a new doc. What I’m saying is, there are doctors here who can help, and there are those who can cause more harm. I hope your friend can find some real help with his problem.
Are you sure he can’t get codeine over the counter? I got it over the counter at several pharmacies in Taipei back in the day - I had to ask for it, but it was codeine. I even tested positive for opiates on one of my health checks, and they just had me get a further test to check if it was codeine (apparently OK) or heroin (obviously not OK).
One can get OTC mixtures of a minute amount of codeine and a lot of paracetamol. Pure codeine is VERY strictly controlled in every country. Why? Because pure codeine tablets can be crushed up and injected. To IV a paracetamol/codeine mix is a serious recipe for tragedy.
How minute is minute? Brand? Name? I could have killed (or killed myself) for some a couple months ago.
I’ve got a migraine problem that I thought couldn’t be solved without codeine until my doctor, who couldn’t understand my (and my wife’s) pronunciation of ‘codeine’, prescribed me something else. That ‘something else’ actually did the job, so I’m glad that I didn’t figure out how to say codeine in Mandarin.
It’s best to stay off the codeine bandwagon if you can.
If you are able to make the doctor believe that you are in genuine pain and really need it, they will prescribe 2 week’s worth.
We managed to get him that today, and at doses higher than the ones he used to take. Main issue was that he was buzzed on the way back, and also got the worst heartburn he ever had, he thought the pills were weak so he took 2 at a go, they weren’t.
The doctor checked him out, back pain after haven broken the back twice, 70+ years old, and surgery not advisable, give him some codeine, make him painless, and all is good.
We will have to go back in 2 weeks time and fill out some more papers, they will then be able to give him more in one go.
Yes, they can only prescribe 2 weeks of a C-II or C-III opioid controlled substance here in Taiwan. I’ve been in pain management for a long time and they don’t give opioid medications lightly. They are more willing to prescribe tramadol and muscle relaxants, antidepressants and epilepsy medicine (for neuropathic pain) are commonly given, but opioid drugs like codeine, morphine and fentanyl are very tightly regulated. Now that my doctor knows me better he’s more open to prescribing stronger medication, but he often tells me about patients and even staff who have abused the system by going to different hospitals and trying to get more and more of the same medicine. Pethidine (Demerol) abuse seems to be a big problem here.
Glad to hear your friend was able to get some relief.
