Codeine is an opiate analgesic. This means that it is used for alleviating pain that arises from different medical conditions and also that it is either extracted from poppies or derived from morphine. The second type of obtaining Codeine is much more prevalent these days. Codeine is used for treating pain that is ranging from mild to moderately severe.

Codeine is one of the most commonly used medications in the world and it has even been estimated that it is the single most commonly used medication of them all. The reason for this is that it is very effective at alleviating pain and also because it is much safer than other opioid painkillers, such as morphine and derivatives from opiates. In fact, Codeine is the medication from which a number of other opioid analgesics are derived, like for example hydrocodone. And most importantly, it is available to buy Codeine online easily. There are plenty of online stores to buy such medicines. 

We know that people who wish to take a certain medication these days first go for information online and we want them to be capable of finding the truth about Codeine. We are also aware that safety is one of the biggest issues with all prescription medications, especially when opiate painkillers are in question, as much has been told about them and safety issues that are connected with opiates. This article is, therefore, going to be about the safety concerns surrounding Codeine and it will be a little comparison of Codeine and other opiates.

The first issue and the biggest one that surrounds all opiates is the potential for developing dependency. All opiates have the potential to cause dependency in certain people, especially if used for longer periods of time. The simple mention of such drugs like morphine, opium, hydrocodone, Vicodin and even heroin (which is an opiate and which was once commonly prescribed as a painkiller), brings to mind dependency and addiction. 

It is possible to develop both physical and psychological dependency to opiates and with some of them, this is a huge issue. However, Codeine has the smallest potential for causing dependency because it is less potent than other medications from its class. This also means that it is used for pain of lower intensity than other opiates and opioids.

There is of course, also an issue of side effects. Certain opiates and opioids are known for severe side effects that they may cause in certain patients. Codeine is much better tolerated and its side effects are mostly mild ones, such as drowsiness, dizziness and gastrointestinal side effects such as constipation and upset stomach. 

The more serious side effects are much less probable and they are extremely rare if the medication is taken as prescribed. Of course, there are certain conditions that can be affected by the use of Codeine and you need to be careful if you suffer from any of them and intend to take Codeine.

The best thing that you could do is consult your doctor who will let you know if you can safely take Codeine. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take Codeine as it can affect the health of the fetus and the nursing child in a detrimental way. Finally, there is one very simple proof that Codeine is safe for use by the majority of people who are suffering from painful conditions. 

This proof is that it was approved by the FDA. The approval process that every medication has to pass with the FDA is such an extensive one that only one in a thousand medications manages to pass it. In addition to this, according to a recent study by the World Health Organization, Codeine is the most commonly used medication in the world. All those doctors that prescribed this medication cannot all be wrong, could they?