Opioids
Codeine–Ibuprofen (Nurofen Plus) Abuse
Street names: Nurofen Plus, Co-codaprin, Co-codamol OTC variants
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Mild opioid euphoria and relaxation
- Pain relief
⚠Key risks
- High-dose abuse floods the body with ibuprofen — stomach bleeding, kidney failure
- Gateway to stronger opioids for some users
- Daily-codeine dependence develops quietly
✚Overdose signs
- Stomach pain, black stools (GI bleed)
- Slow breathing
- Confusion, ringing ears
Category comparison — Opioids
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codeine–Ibuprofen (Nurofen Plus) Abuse | OTC | High-dose abuse floods the body with ibuprofen — stomach bleeding, kidney failure; Gateway to stronger opioids for some users | ~$8–$15 per pack OTC |
| Heroin | Schedule I | Extremely addictive — physical dependence in weeks; Overdose: breathing slows or stops | ~$10–$40 per bag |
| Fentanyl | Schedule II | Respiratory depression; Addiction in days | ~$20–$40 per counterfeit pill |
| Fentanyl HCl (powder) | Schedule II / analogue prosecutions | Lab-purity powder is far stronger than street mixes; Weighing errors are fatal | ~$60–$120/gram wholesale equivalent |
| Acetylfentanyl | Schedule I | ~5–15× weaker than fentanyl but still deadly at gram-level mistakes; Frequent cause of cluster overdoses | ~$25–$60/g where found |
| Furanylfentanyl (Fu-F) | Schedule I | Linked to hundreds of fatal overdoses 2016–2018; Potency similar to fentanyl | ~$20–$50/g |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Codeine–Ibuprofen (Nurofen Plus) Abuse look like?
Over-the-counter combination tablets (codeine 12.8 mg + ibuprofen 200 mg)
What are the signs of a Codeine–Ibuprofen (Nurofen Plus) Abuse overdose?
Stomach pain, black stools (GI bleed); Slow breathing; Confusion, ringing ears Call emergency services immediately and give naloxone if available — it reverses opioid overdoses.
How addictive is it?
High-dose abuse floods the body with ibuprofen — stomach bleeding, kidney failure Dependence can develop with regular use.
🔗Sources & further reading
Facts on this page are compiled from these primary sources. External links open in a new tab.