Side effects - codeine tolerance and anaesthetic

[rozzy]

a question on the effect of a strong codeine tolerance on that of being given an anaesthetic

say you had to go to a doctor or dentist or something and be given a local anaesthetic for it (tooth pulled, minor operation). what would be the effect on the anaesthetic given ?

would it be less effective ? (ie - would you still be able to feel things a little maybe?)

thoughts please.

[Gradient]

rozzy,

Luckily, there should actually be no interaction whatsoever. Opiate analgesics alleviate pain by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, thereby acting as general anesthetics by attenuating the body's general level of pain.

On the other hand, local anesthetics like procaine or novocaine, for example, have a very simple site of action. They function to block sodium ion channels on local neurons, thereby preventing the firing of impulses. This is why the areas that such compounds are applied to lose all sensation completely, and don't just feel subjectively 'good' like in the case of opiates: they are unable to communicate with each other and the brain, and so there is no information sent either way.

You have nothing to worry about regarding opiate tolerance at the dentist unless you will be undergoing some of the more serious procedures, in which case intravenous opiates like demerol are widely employed (tolerance would clearly come into play here). Otherwise - a tolerance to opiates will not influence the efficacy of local anesthetics.

Reputation Comments on this post:

EXCELLENT ADVICE AND EXPLAINATION

[rozzy]

good news. thanks.

[trannyboy]

Gradient is right on the money, you should not have anything to worry about and if you still are worrying they can be you some laughing gas which will not be effected either. Oh and as long as your tolerance is to codeine you should still be safe with more serious surgeries because they mainly use fentanyl and morphine based drugs for surgery and well there is some cross tolerances it will not be that much unless you are a hard core addict.

trannyboy