# Is codeine OTC in Canada? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 3, 2011, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325 "2011-08-03T14:54:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/21 "2011-08-04T07:07:53Z")
I would think that even if a Canadian citizen could bring them into this country, it still wouldn’t be kosher for them to sell or give them to an American in order to get around the US controlled substances laws, would it? ---
**Author:** ![expectopatronum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/expectopatronum/32/173_2.png) [@expectopatronum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/expectopatronum)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/22 "2011-08-07T02:04:43Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > I’m not looking to get off on it, I’m looking to have a supply for A) tooth pain why not go to the dentist? ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/23 "2011-08-07T03:14:15Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Well, this is what the [CBP website](http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/prohibited_restricted.xml#Medication) says: > > So it looks like, in some cases, you can bring in a small amount without a prescription, but I don’t know whether codeine would qualify as a “narcotic” or not. If it is a “narcotic,” then it can’t be brought in. > > I think that it would be best to declare up front that you have it, and ask if you can bring it in. If the answer is negative, they’d probably just take it and let you through. If you try to sneak it through without telling them (or try to sneak in a _lot_ of it), you’ll probably be in more trouble, though. > > I’ve done my share of going back and forth across the US/Canadian border, and fair warning, US border patrols are _pricks_. I wouldn’t take any chances with them. Since when is codeine a narcotic like marijuana, cocaine, heroin or LSD? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/24 "2011-08-07T03:22:18Z")
Opalcat, it takes four Canadian 222s or tylenols with codeine to equal a US #2, and if you take it at night for your cough, there is enough caffeine in them to keep you up all night. (The caffeine is supposed to help if you have a headache.) Go for the cough syrup like Moontherial said. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/25 "2011-08-07T03:27:18Z")
> [@IAmNotSpartacus](#): > > Since when is codeine a narcotic like marijuana, cocaine, heroin or LSD? Only the codeine and heroin are narcotics. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/26 "2011-08-07T03:29:27Z")
Does anyone know if **OpalCat** could get the Shedule III (or is it IV?) cough meds that one just signs for anymore? Years ago, I did this, but luckily haven’t needed anything any stronger than OTC recently. Thanks Quasi ---
**Author:** ![expectopatronum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/expectopatronum/32/173_2.png) [@expectopatronum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/expectopatronum)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/27 "2011-08-07T04:02:33Z")
not in the US, but if she has a legitimate medical need she could go to a doctor/dentist and get a prescription for her ailments. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/28 "2011-08-07T04:13:37Z")
> [@IAmNotSpartacus](#): > > Since when is codeine a narcotic like marijuana, cocaine, heroin or LSD? It’s an opioid, just like morphine and heroin. All opioid drugs are narcotics, Pharmaceutically speaking, marijuana, LSD and cocaine are not technically narcotics, although cocaine is statutorily defined as one (the legal and pharmaceutical definitions are not exactly the same). ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/29 "2011-08-07T04:15:18Z")
> [@expectopatronum](#): > > why not go to the dentist? I’m in the middle of a rather hardcore dental ordeal right now. What makes you think I’m not seeing a dentist? I just had a crown repaired, I’m about to have another crown done, then a tooth extracted, then a partial denture plate for a few years until I can afford implants. There will be a lot of pain. I generally run out and they don’t like to keep giving refills. Certainly not enough exgtras to see me through the winter cough. And like I said, I’ve not had much luck getting cough syrup with codeine. But then, the last time I tried I didn’t have health insurance, so maybe it would be different now, I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/30 "2011-08-07T04:20:23Z")
> [@expectopatronum](#): > > not in the US, but if she has a legitimate medical need she could go to a doctor/dentist and get a prescription for her ailments. I have. The OP mentions trying to get a prescription. In the more immediate future and from past experience I will be needing them for my teeth. I’m sure I’ll get some from them, but not enough to have leftovers. ---
**Author:** ![Implicit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Implicit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Implicit)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/31 "2011-08-07T04:44:00Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > I have. The OP mentions trying to get a prescription. In the more immediate future and from past experience I will be needing them for my teeth. I’m sure I’ll get some from them, but not enough to have leftovers. You’ll probably get Tylenol 3s (30 mg codeine) for your tooth pain if the dentist prescribes you painkillers. Try taking half of one of those plus ibuprofen (or any other NSAID), it might be enough to control the pain and would allow you to stretch them out. Ironically my doctor prescribed cough syrup with codeine when I had a viral pneumonia a few years back, but codeine makes me nauseous so instead I chugged expectorant cough syrup (guaifenesin) for weeks. ---
**Author:** ![expectopatronum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/expectopatronum/32/173_2.png) [@expectopatronum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/expectopatronum)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/32 "2011-08-07T11:05:31Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > I’m in the middle of a rather hardcore dental ordeal right now. What makes you think I’m not seeing a dentist? I just had a crown repaired, I’m about to have another crown done, then a tooth extracted, then a partial denture plate for a few years until I can afford implants. There will be a lot of pain. I generally run out and they don’t like to keep giving refills. Certainly not enough exgtras to see me through the winter cough. And like I said, I’ve not had much luck getting cough syrup with codeine. But then, the last time I tried I didn’t have health insurance, so maybe it would be different now, I don’t know. i assumed you weren’t seeing a dentist since you indicated one of the reasons for obtaining the codeine was for tooth pain. i’ve been through those dental ordeals myself, found myself in the chair about once a month over a 6 month period with my wisdom teeth and various root canals, but never had a problem getting adequate pain relief. of course it varies by practitioner but i’ve found no trouble getting refills as long as it wasn’t excessive. if you ask for refills with the expectations of having “leftovers”, as you keep mentioning, yes, they might hesitate to do that. i’ll guess i’ll just come out and say it: the act of self medicating with controlled substances (and the claims that codeine is the only thing that works) along with the other thread in this same forum about taking prescription medication from your son, makes this thread scream “drug seeking behavior”. and believe me, i know there are some doctors who never want to prescribe drugs like codeine even when it’s legitimately needed because of the potential for abuse, and it sucks, but self medicating with narcotics is a dangerous road to go down. ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/33 "2011-08-07T16:19:53Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Only the codeine and heroin are narcotics. If you google “narcotic”, you’ll see that its meaning is changing. See for instance meaning 1b in [NARCOTIC Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narcotic). I find it amusing (given the original meaning) when something like LSD or cocaine is called a narcotic! ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/34 "2011-08-07T16:52:47Z")
Back in my serious pill popping codeine addictions days, I used to jump at chances to go to Canada on business; I used to buy large bottles of 222s or AC&C; I seem to remember being able to buy like 250 tablets at a time. I never had trouble bringing them back to the USA until that fateful day that I did have trouble; I had answer a ton of questions but I had a legit job and still looked pretty good so I wasn’t busted. But I wasn’t allowed to bring the pills across the border, either, and I never tried again. I wouldn’t advise trying now. ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/35 "2011-08-07T16:52:54Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > It’s an opioid, just like morphine and heroin. All opioid drugs are narcotics, Pharmaceutically speaking, marijuana, LSD and cocaine are not technically narcotics, although cocaine is statutorily defined as one (the legal and pharmaceutical definitions are not exactly the same). OK, I’ll be a little clearer. Please cite where the US DEA or DOJ has stated that codeine is a narcotic like marijuana, heroin, cocaine or LSD. Or cite where the US government says you can’t import codeine for personal use. The statutes imply up 50 dosage units being allowed to be imported when conditions are met. So far you’ve provided no cites that actually back up your claims and certainly nothing that says codeine cannot be imported. ETA: A relevant statute: [http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/21cfr/21usc/956.htm](http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/21cfr/21usc/956.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/36 "2011-08-07T16:58:38Z")
> [@IAmNotSpartacus](#): > > OK, I’ll be a little clearer. Please cite where the US DEA or DOJ has stated that codeine is a narcotic like marijuana, heroin, cocaine or LSD. I didn’t say it had. ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/37 "2011-08-07T17:00:26Z")
You said codeine was a narcotic and couldn’t be brought in. Codeine is a narcotic. And it can be brought in. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/38 "2011-08-07T17:06:57Z")
> [@IAmNotSpartacus](#): > > You said codeine was a narcotic and couldn’t be brought in. No, I said I didn’t KNOW if it was statutorily defined as a narcotic, and that if it was, it couldn’t be brought in. I cited the policies from the CBP site saying that some non-narcotic scheduled drugs could be brought into the US in small quantities, but that I didn’t know if codeine would fall into the narcotic or non-narcotic category. It’s illegal in anything but small quantities (or to bring it in for someone else), regardless, so I don’t know what you think your point is. ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/39 "2011-08-07T17:10:33Z")
Codeine is scheduled as a narcotic, although it is not a narcotic like marijuana, heroin, cocaine or LSD. I will quote your post so there is no confusion. > [@](#): > > So it looks like, in some cases, you can bring in a small amount without a prescription, but I don’t know whether codeine would qualify as a “narcotic” or not.\*\* If it is a “narcotic,” then it can’t be brought in.\*\* Bolding is mine. That you change the goalposts to “can’t be brought it” to “can only be brought in small quantities” is disingenuous. Just fighting ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/40 "2011-08-07T17:26:39Z")
Marijuana and LSD are not scheduled as narcotics. You need to read my post again to clear up your own confusion. I was answering a specific question about whether or not it was legal to bring drugs across the border that had been _legally purchased without a prescription_. That was the question. I cited the CBP page which said that “_non-narcotic_” drugs which had been legally obtained could be brought across in small quantities (50 doses or less), and then said I didn’t know if codeine was specifically categorized as “narcotic” or not. Ok? Understand it now? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325.md?page=3)