How much is too much codeine phosphate?

Answer 1

Depends, do you want to relieve pain, or get high. Note that some people don't have the enzymes to break down codeine into morphine so codeine will have no effect on them, others have less enzymes or more enzymes, plus people have different sensitivities and body weights.

For pain (prescription) the usual adult dose is 30mg every 4 to 6 hours. This is sometimes as low or high as 15mg or 60mg (every 4-6h). In other countries (like Canada) codeine is sold over the counter in lower dosages, there you might take about 15mg for a headache (comes in 8mg pills).

For abuse, lower effects usually start at 60mg. People will often go up from there but its not safe to ingest a higher dose without trying less first. You should take 60mg (MAXIMUM) first and then after two hours if you don't feel the effect you can take more (like another 30 to 60 mg).

Above about 300mg, codeine's effect maxes out because of your bodies limited ability to convert it to morphine. It is possible to take other drugs or certain foods to increase the conversion thus making the effect at any dose stronger.

It is possible to die from codeine and it can have serious side effects, do not use it any other way the oral, read prescribing information, do not use alcohol or other sedatives with codeine. -Dr.Z