Interesting histamine reaction

[Tortoise]

Swit would like to share his observations regarding codeine induced histamine release. Swit's been using codeine recreationally for quite sometime now and he's never had too much of a problem with itchiness on codeine, sure he does notice it from time to time, but it's never been anough to bother him.

When taking high codeine doses (say 350mg for example), Swim usually makes sure that he drinks it with a lot of water. This morning however, Swim ingested 350mg dissolved in only about 100ml of water on a very empty stomach so that the effects would hit him much harder. And that they did; he had the most intense codeine rush he's ever had in his life - he couldn't believe how fast and hard it hit. The problem is, he also had a pretty big histamine reaction, like nothing he's ever had before, so much so that he got the itchies pretty much straight away and his lips actually swelled up! He took a dramamine after that and that seemed to help, but even now,5 hours later his lips are still slightly puffy.

I think the reason for this is that the histamine release seems to be more dependant of the rate that codeine enters one's system rather than the amount of codeine in one's system. Probably why it should never be IV'd. For this reason if Swim ever doses in this way again (and he most probably will - the rush...) he'll be sure to take some anti-histamines beforehand.

peace!

[Klaus]

Swin has found anti histamine to be of no use at all .

Reputation Comments on this post:

please explain yourself. no use for what? for use as a drug? for use against codeine itchyness? i don't understand.

[darkglobe]

@ Tortoise:

Originally Posted by Tortoise

This morning however, Swim ingested 350mg dissolved in only about 100ml of water on a very empty stomach so that the effects would hit him much harder.

I don't mean to be a party pooper, but IMO it's almost always better to have something to eat before dosing on anything. Or even just drink a small amount of milk or similar. Just to go easier on your stomach and the lining of your alimentary canal.

Originally Posted by Tortoise

I think the reason for this is that the histamine release seems to be more dependant of the rate that codeine enters one's system rather than the amount of codeine in one's system. Probably why it should never be IV'd.

Indeed it should never be IV'd! At least not in the form of crushed a CWE'd pills, anyway.

Now, you'd be right in thinking that the absorption rate affects histamine release. Consider this (rather silly) analogy:

You're standing in a field.

Example 1
There is a lone elephant ambling slowly towards you. You like elephants. You have a submachine gun. Do you:
a) Spray until there's more lead than elephant
or
b) Shoot a few small bursts at the elephant's head?

Example 2
There are approximately 10 pissed-off elephants hurtling towards you. Do you:
a) Spend time aiming and worrying about animal welfare, and subsequently get flattened
or
b) Spray them bullets till every single elephant is dead?

Sorry about the TERRIBLE analogy, but... you see my point? The more elephants hurtlign towards you (Codeine), the more histamine is released in a short space of time.

Naturally, if 10 pissed-off elephants came at you one by one over the space of an hour, you'd release the bullets (histamine) slower.

Originally Posted by Tortoise

if Swim ever doses in this way again (and he most probably will - the rush...) he'll be sure to take some anti-histamines beforehand.

Make sure ya don't cause any nasty drug interactions! Remember - stick to the drowsy ones like Diphenhydramine/Dimenhydrinate.

This post is rather silly, but at least it might help someone. Possibly.

[Abrad]

Indeed it should never be IV'd! At least not in the form of crushed a CWE'd pills, anyway.

Just to clarify, codeine should never be IV'd. Whether it be from a CWE or pharm. grade solution the result will be the same.

[darkglobe]

Agreed, I was just under the impression that there was such thing as a "specifically for intra venous" form of Codeine solution, as there are with most pharmaceuticals.

Sorry for the confusion.