Co-Codamol 30/500mg | Fast-Acting Painkiller

Description

Co-codamol is a combination of two painkillers: paracetamol and codeine. It treats pain such as headaches, muscle aches, migraines, and toothaches.

Taking co-codamol can help if everyday painkillers such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or paracetamol alone have not worked. This medicine is available as tablets and capsules, including soluble tablets that you dissolve in water.

Co-codamol tablets and capsules come in three strengths. The lowest strength can be bought from a pharmacy, but the higher strength is only available on prescription.

For children and young people under 18, please read our information about co-codamol for children.

Key Facts

• It takes up to 1 hour for co-codamol to work. It still works for around 5 hours.
• The most common side effects of co-codamol are constipation, nausea, or sleepiness.
• Taking too much co-codamol can be harmful. Do not increase the dose, even if you have severe pain.
• You can become dependent on the codeine in co-codamol, but your Doctor will explain how you can reduce the risk of becoming dependent.
• If you need to take co-codamol for longer than a few weeks, your treatment plan may include instructions on how and when to discontinue this medication.

Who should and cannot use Co-Codamol?

Who can use Co-Codamol?

Most adults can use co-codamol.

Most children and teenagers aged 12 to 17 can use it, but it is only recommended if other painkillers have not worked.

Who should not use Co-Codamol?

Co-codamol is not suitable for some people. To make sure it is safe for you, tell your doctor before use if you:

• Have lung or breathing problems.
• Have a head injury
• Have adrenal gland problems
• Have a medical condition that causes fits or seizures.
• Regularly drink more than the recommended maximum amount of alcohol (14 units per week)
• This information is relevant to you if you are trying to get pregnant, are currently pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• If you have liver problems – You might need to take a lower dose.
• You are under 18 and have had your tonsils or tonsils removed because of a sleep disorder called sleep apnoea.

How and when should you take Co-Codamol?

It is essential to take co-codamol as directed by your Doctor. It is important to note that co-codamol can be addictive.

Different Strengths of Co-Codamol

Co-codamol tablets and capsules are available in three strengths: 8mg, 15mg, or 30mg of codeine. All three strengths contain 500 mg of paracetamol—just like a regular paracetamol tablet or capsule.

The strength of co-codamol is stated on the packaging with two numbers. For example, 8/500 means that each tablet or capsule contains 8 mg of codeine and 500 mg of paracetamol.

The lowest strength of co-codamol (8/500) can be bought without a prescription but only from a pharmacy. The higher strengths (15/500 and 30/500) are only available with a doctor’s prescription.

Dosage

Adults can take one or two tablets (of any strength) up to four times in 24 hours. It is essential to leave at least 4 to 6 hours between doses of co-codamol.

The maximum dosage allowed is eight co-codamol tablets within 24 hours. Taking too much co-codamol can be very dangerous because the paracetamol it contains can cause liver damage.

Do not increase your dose of co-codamol or take more than two tablets at a time, even if you have severe pain. Contact your pharmacist or Doctor if you think the dose is not enough to relieve your pain.

Maximum dose of Co-Codamol

The maximum dose of co-codamol for adults is eight tablets in 24 hours.

How to take it

Swallow co-codamol tablets or capsules whole with a glass of water. It is also available as a soluble (effervescent) tablet that you dissolve in a glass of water to make a drink.

You can take co-codamol with or without food.

How long should you take it for?

If your Doctor has prescribed co-codamol for you, they will tell you how long to take it.

For example, if you have pain after an injury or operation, you may need to take the medicine for a few days or weeks. You may need to take the medication longer if you have a chronic condition that causes pain.

If you bought co-codamol from a pharmacy, do not take it for more than 3 days. If you still have pain after 3 days, contact your pharmacist or Doctor.

Stopping Co-Codamol

If you have been taking co-codamol for more than a few weeks, do not stop taking it without talking to your Doctor first.

If you take too much

Taking one or two extra tablets is unlikely to cause harm. Do not take more than eight tablets within 24 hours.

Taking excessive amounts of co-codamol can be hazardous, and you may require medical treatment. Too much co-codamol can cause liver damage.

Side Effects of Co-Codamol in Adults

Like all medications, co-codamol can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. Many individuals have no side effects or only mild ones.

You are more likely to experience side effects when taking the higher strengths of co-codamol.

Common Side Effects

These common co-codamol side effects affect more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do about them:

• Constipation
• feeling sick or sick (nausea or vomiting)
• Dizziness, drowsiness, headache

If the advice on how to deal with it doesn’t help and a side effect continues to bother you or doesn’t go away, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.

Serious Side Effects

Serious side effects are rare and affect fewer than 1 in 100 people.

Call a Doctor or 111 now if you have:

• Rash
• Difficulty urinating
• Changes in your vision
• Muscle stiffness
• Symptoms of low blood pressure, including dizziness and tiredness
• You have difficulty breathing or are breathing short and shallow
• You have a fit or epileptic seizure.

Severe Allergic Reaction

In rare cases, a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to co-codamol can occur.

Call 999 now if:

• Your lips, mouth, throat, or tongue suddenly swell.
• You are breathing very quickly or have difficulty breathing (you may be gasping for air or feel like you are choking or gasping for air)
• You feel a tightness in your throat or have trouble swallowing.
• Your skin, tongue, or lips turn blue, grey, or pale (if you have dark or brown skin, this may be more noticeable on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• You suddenly become very confused, sleepy, or dizzy.
• someone faints and cannot be woken up
• A child is limp, lethargic, or unresponsive (the head may fall to the side, back, or forward, or it may not be easy to lift the head or concentrate on the face)

You or a sick person may also have a swollen, raised, itchy, blistered, or flaky rash.

These may be signs of a severe allergic reaction and require immediate hospital treatment.

Long-term Side Effects

If you bought Co-Codamol from a pharmacy, do not use it for more than 3 days. If your pain does not go away, contact a pharmacist or Doctor.

If you need to take co-codamol for a long time, your body may develop a tolerance to the codeine it contains. This means that you will need higher doses over time to control your pain.

Some people may become more sensitive to pain (hyperalgesia). In this case, your doctor will gradually reduce your dose to relieve these symptoms.

It is possible to become dependent on the codeine in co-codamol. For this reason, your dose will be determined to ensure that you only take the amount you need to control your pain.

Your treatment plan may include information about how and when to stop taking co-codamol.

If you are being treated for cancer pain or other severe pain, your pain management will be closely monitored. If you are concerned about tolerance, hyperalgesia, or dependence, contact your Doctor.

Other Side Effects

This list does not include all the potential side effects of co-codamol. For a complete list, see the package leaflet with your medicine.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility when using co-codamol

Co-codamol and Pregnancy

Co-codamol can be taken during pregnancy, but long-term use is not recommended.

Co-codamol contains paracetamol and codeine. Taking paracetamol is safe during pregnancy, but codeine may affect your baby.

If you take codeine at the end of your pregnancy, there is a risk that your baby will become used to codeine. You may be sleepy or have withdrawal symptoms after the birth. In this case, your baby may need additional time in the hospital for observation.

It is important to treat pain during pregnancy. If you have severe pain, co-codamol can sometimes be the best option. Your Doctor can help you decide what is right for you and your baby.

Co-Codamol and Breastfeeding

Do not take co-codamol if you are breastfeeding.

Small amounts of codeine in co-codamol can pass into breast milk, which could harm your baby by causing breathing problems.

Paracetamol is the best painkiller when breastfeeding.

If you are breastfeeding and think you need co-codamol, discuss this with your Doctor first. They can advise you about other options for pain relief.

Co-Codamol and Fertility

Taking co-codamol for a short period at standard doses is unlikely to affect fertility in men or women.

However, if you have been taking it for a long time or are having difficulty getting pregnant, talk to your pharmacist or Doctor.

Tell your Doctor if you:

• are trying to get pregnant
• are pregnant
• are breastfeeding

Taking Co-Codamol with other Medicines and Herbal Supplements

Be careful with other Medicines.

Some medicines affect how co-codamol works. Co-codamol can also stop some medications from working as well as they should.

Tell your doctor if you are taking:

• Sleeping medicines or tranquillisers – especially benzodiazepines such as diazepam, temazepam or lorazepam
• Antidepressants – some types do not mix with co-codamol
• Medications for nausea or vomiting, such as domperidone or metoclopramide
• Medications to prevent blood clots (anticoagulants), such as B. Warfarin
• Medications used to treat infections, especially rifampicin or ciprofloxacin
• Epilepsy medicines

Taking Co-Codamol with other Painkillers

Taking co-codamol with ibuprofen and aspirin is safe.

Do not take co-codamol with paracetamol or other paracetamol medicines unless your Doctor recommends it. Co-codamol already contains paracetamol, so there may be a risk of paracetamol overdose.

Medicines containing paracetamol include painkillers such as Tramacet and Co-Dydramol, migraine medicines, and cough and cold medicines such as Lemsip and Night Nurse.

Mixing Co-Codamol with Herbal Remedies and Supplements

There is not enough information to say that it is safe to take complementary medicines, herbal remedies, and supplements with co-codamol.

They are not tested the same way as the pharmacy and prescriptions.