Co-codamol 8/500mg Tablets

What is Co-codamol 8/500mg?

Co-codamol 8/500mg is a Pharmacy Medicine used for the short-term treatment of acute moderate pain when painkillers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin used alone have not provided sufficient relief.

Each tablet contains:

• Paracetamol 500mg
• Codeine phosphate 8mg

Codeine is an opioid painkiller and can cause addiction. Co-codamol purchased without a prescription must not be taken continuously for more than three days.

What is Co-codamol used for?

Co-codamol 8/500mg may be used for the short-term relief of acute moderate pain, including:

• Headaches and migraine
• Toothache
• Neuralgia or nerve pain
• Period pain
• Rheumatic pain

It should only be used when simpler painkillers have not worked adequately. It is not intended for persistent, recurring or long-term pain without medical supervision.

How to take Co-codamol

Follow the instructions on the packaging and in the patient information leaflet.

Adults and young people aged 18 years and over:

Take one or two tablets with water when required. Leave at least four to six hours between doses. Do not take more than two tablets at once or more than eight tablets in 24 hours.

Kings Pharmacy Online supplies this product only to adults aged 18 years and over following a Pharmacy Medicine assessment.

Three-day limit

Do not take Co-codamol continuously for more than three days.

If the pain has not improved after three days, or regularly returns, stop taking it and speak to your pharmacist or doctor. Taking codeine continuously for longer than three days can cause dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

Do not take other paracetamol or codeine products

Do not take Co-codamol with:

• Any other medicine containing paracetamol
• Any other medicine containing codeine
• Other co-codamol products
• Some cold and flu remedies, which may contain paracetamol

Taking too much paracetamol can cause serious delayed liver damage, even if you initially feel well.

Who should not take Co-codamol?

Do not take this medicine if:

• You are allergic to paracetamol, codeine or any ingredient in the product
• You have severe breathing difficulties
• You are breastfeeding
• You know that you metabolise codeine into morphine very rapidly
• You are under 18 and have had your tonsils or adenoids removed because of obstructive sleep apnoea
• You are already taking another medicine containing paracetamol or codeine

Kings Pharmacy Online does not supply this product to anyone under 18.

Speak to a pharmacist or doctor before taking it if:

• You are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• You have liver or kidney problems
• You have breathing problems or asthma
• You have low blood pressure
• You have a head injury
• You have bowel or digestive problems
• You have a history of medicine, opioid, drug or alcohol dependence
• You regularly drink large amounts of alcohol
• You take sedatives, sleeping tablets, antidepressants or medicines for anxiety
• You take warfarin or another anticoagulant
• You have been taking codeine or another opioid regularly

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking Co-codamol during pregnancy.

Do not take codeine-containing medicines while breastfeeding because codeine and morphine can pass into breast milk and may harm the baby.

Driving and using machinery

Co-codamol may cause sleepiness, dizziness, confusion or blurred vision.

Do not drive, cycle or operate machinery if the medicine affects you. It is an offence to drive if your ability to drive safely is impaired.

Alcohol

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Co-codamol. Alcohol can increase drowsiness and the risk of serious side effects.

Possible side effects

Common side effects can include:

• Constipation
• Feeling sick or being sick
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Dry mouth

Stop taking the medicine and obtain urgent medical help if you experience difficulty breathing, severe drowsiness, loss of consciousness, swelling of the face or throat, or signs of a serious allergic reaction.

Read the patient information leaflet supplied with the medicine for the complete list of warnings and side effects.

Dependence and addiction warning

This medicine contains codeine, an opioid that can cause dependence and addiction.

Do not use it for longer than three consecutive days. Warning signs of problematic use may include:

• Feeling that you need to take it for longer than instructed
• Taking it for reasons other than pain relief
• Needing more tablets to achieve the same effect
• Feeling unwell when you stop taking it
• Obtaining codeine products from multiple pharmacies

If any of these apply, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.

What if I take too much?

Taking too much Co-codamol can cause serious liver damage and potentially fatal opioid toxicity.

Seek urgent medical advice immediately if you take more than the recommended dose, even if you feel well. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.

Storage

Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Store according to the instructions printed on the packaging and do not use after the expiry date.