www.codeinefree.me.uk

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What is a taper plan?

A taper plan or, slow taper, is a way of coming off codeine which minimises the withdrawl side effects. Basically, all you need to do is to sit down and work out your average daily intake of tablets. Start by asking yourself "Is this the minimum I can take?". If you take 15 tablets/day, ask yourself if you could start on 10 or 12. Also give consideration on how quickly or slowly you want to taper down. You could drop one tablet a week, 1/2 tablet twice weekly, 1/2 tablet per week, just decide on what you are comfortable with.

If you're taking the more expensive "Branded" products, consider swapping to less expensive generics as your first drop.

On week 1 of your taper plan, take this amount of tablets spaced evenly throughout the day. How you space them out is up to you, it could be one at a time at more frequent intervals or 2 at a time at less frequent intervals. It is really up to you on how you start. Just plan it out on how you feel you could best cope.

If, after the first week, you feel settled then do your first planned drop and take this new lower amount of tablets per week. If at any time you feel unsettled or uncomfortable about taking a drop, just stay on your current level for another week.

Just DON'T cheat by sneaking in an extra tablet or 2. This will just make your next drop much much harder.

If you take 8 tablets a day and want to reduce at the rate of 1 tablet/week:-

Week 1 - 8 tablets per day
Week 2 - 7 tablets per day
Week 3 - 6 tablets per day
Week 4 - 5 tablets per day
Week 5 - 4 tablets per day - Treat yourself to a reward - You deserve it!
Week 6 - 3 tablets per day
Week 7 - 2 tablets per day
Week 8 - 1 tablets per day
Week 9 - Codeine Free!!!!

Obviously, this is a generalisation and you need to give consideration to what you are taking. eg. If you are taking two products then you need to consider this when working out your plan, in particular your daily intake.

Copyright www.codeinefree.me.uk Feb 2009

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Here's a link to a printable taper plan.

http://media.codeinefree.org/CF-TaperPlan-1A.pdf

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Fixed "What is a Taper Plan" link.