Diving after taking paracetamol & codeine (i.e Panadol Ultra)

[CotoChris]

As a sufferer of migraines and recently back pain I take painkillers which has 500mg Paracetamol and Codeine (can't remember the mg). If I've had a migraine I don't normally dive days after as it takes a while to recover. However with back pain there is a chance that I may take it and have the drugs in my system by the time I dive.
I don't think the paracetomol is a problem but wondering about the Codeine as it causes dry mouth, 'narcotic feeling', drowsiness but yet a peaceful feeling. OK this really doesn't sound good, so let's say how long after I've taken the medication should I wait before I dive?

[hammerheads]

Originally Posted by CotoChris

However with back pain there is a chance that I may take it and have the drugs in my system by the time I dive.
I don't think the paracetomol is a problem but wondering about the Codeine as it causes dry mouth, 'narcotic feeling', drowsiness but yet a peaceful feeling. OK this really doesn't sound good, so let's say how long after I've taken the medication should I wait before I dive?

I think given that you have been honest with yourself and said it causes you a narcotic feeling and a dry mouth I would leave it at least 24 hours after taking a tablet before diving. I confess im not sure what the medical opinion is on diving with codeine but from your symptomatic description it has to be a contra indiction to diving for yourself. Its much better to be safe than sorry the water will always be there tomorrow

If its back pain wouldnt diving make the back pain worse anyway due to the extra weight loading on the surface with your diving equipment on.

At the very outside I would at least tell your dive buddy what you have taken and the effects it has on you if you do decide to dive on it.

Good luck

[frosty the snowman]

Codeine is an opiate (a morphine derivative) and as such can commonly cause the symptoms you describe. Gram for gram it's approximately 10% as strong as morphine but its effect varies from person to person. With this in mind and knowing the effect it has on you, it may be unwise to dive for a few hours after taking it. Have you tried other analgesic regimes such as paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflamatories such as ibuprofen?