What is co codamol used for

Codeine will help relieve symptoms but will not treat the cause of symptoms or speed recovery. Codeine belongs to a class of medications called opiate narcotic analgesics and to a class of medications called antitussives. When codeine is used to treat pain, it works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. When codeine is used to reduce coughing, it works by decreasing the activity in the part of the brain that causes coughing. Codeine is also available in combination with acetaminophen Capital and Codeine, Tylenol with Codeine , aspirin, carisoprodol, and promethazine and as an ingredient in many cough and cold medications.

This monograph only includes information about the use of codeine. If you are taking a codeine combination product, be sure to read information about all the ingredients in the product you are taking and ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Codeine alone or in combination with other medications comes as a tablet, a capsule, and a solution liquid to take by mouth.

It is usually taken every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. If you have taken codeine for several weeks or longer, do not stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor.

Your doctor may decrease your dose gradually. If you suddenly stop taking codeine, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, widened pupils black circles in the center of the eyes , teary eyes, irritability, anxiety, runny nose, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, yawning, sweating, fast breathing, fast heartbeat, chills, hair on your arms standing on end, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, muscle aches, or backache.

Shake the solution well before each use to mix the medication evenly. Do not use a household spoon to measure your dose. Use the measuring cup or spoon that came with the medication or use a spoon that is made especially for measuring medication.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Codeine is usually taken as needed.

If your doctor has told you to take codeine regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Codeine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet.

Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. If you feel sleepy with co-codamol, stop drinking alcohol while you're taking it. Do not drive a car or ride a bike or use tools or machinery if co-codamol makes you sleepy, gives you blurred vision or makes you feel dizzy, clumsy or unable to concentrate or make decisions.

This may be more likely when you first start taking co-codamol but could happen at any time — for example when starting another medicine. It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive. If you're in any doubt, do not drive. Even if your ability to drive is not affected, the police have the right to request a saliva sample to check how much co-codamol is in your body. UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's safe for you to drive while taking co-codamol. Apart from avoiding alcohol, you can eat and drink normally while taking co-codamol.

Co-codamol does not affect any type of contraception, including the combined pill or emergency contraception. However, if co-codamol makes you vomit for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Look on the pill packet to find out what to do.

Read more about what to do if you're on the pill and you're being sick or have diarrhoea. If you're taking co-codamol for a maximum of 3 days and at normal doses, there's no clear evidence that it can reduce fertility in either men or women. However, if you take high doses of co-codamol for a long time, there's a very small risk it can temporarily reduce fertility in men and women. It can cause a health problem called hypogonadism.

Hypogonadism is where the body does not make enough sex hormones. This can make it more difficult for you to conceive. If you're worried about taking co-codamol for longer than 3 days, and how this may affect your fertility, talk to your doctor.

If you take recreational drugs, such as cannabis, cocaine and heroin, while you're taking co-codamol, you're more likely to get the serious side effects of the codeine in co-codamol. These include breathing difficulties, heart problems, fits and even going into a coma. Some recreational drugs, such as cannabis, also increase common codeine side effects such as sleepiness and dizziness. Taking heroin while you're on prescribed co-codamol is particularly dangerous.

You're more likely to get all the side effects of the codeine in co-codamol, including addiction. Page last reviewed: 3 September Next review due: 3 September Co-codamol for adults On this page About co-codamol for adults Key facts Who can and cannot take co-codamol How and when to take co-codamol Taking co-codamol with other painkillers Side effects How to cope with side effects of co-codamol Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions about co-codamol.

About co-codamol for adults Co-codamol is a mixture of 2 different painkillers — paracetamol and codeine. This medicine comes as tablets and capsules. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today?

Co-codamol tablets and capsules come in 3 strengths. You can buy the lowest strength co-codamol from pharmacies but the higher strengths are only available on prescription. The most common side effects of co-codamol are constipation and feeling sick nausea or sleepy. Taking too much co-codamol can be harmful. Do not be tempted to increase the dose or take a double dose if your pain is very bad. It's possible to become addicted to the codeine in co-codamol, but your doctor will explain how to reduce the risks of becoming addicted.

If you need to take co-codamol for more than a few weeks, your treatment plan may include details of how and when to stop taking this medicine. Tell your doctor before starting the medicine if you: have lung problems or breathing difficulties have a head injury have adrenal gland problems have a condition that causes fits or seizures regularly drink more than the maximum recommended amount of alcohol 14 units a week are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or are breastfeeding have liver problems — you may need to take a lower dose are under 18 years old and have had your tonsils or adenoids removed because of a sleep problem called obstructive sleep apnoea.

You can take co-codamol with or without food. Different co-codamol strengths Co-codamol tablets and capsules come in 3 different strengths. They contain 8mg, 15mg or 30mg of codeine. Dosage Adults and young people aged 16 years and older can take 1 or 2 tablets of any strength up to 4 times in 24 hours. Important The maximum dose of co-codamol for adults and young people aged 16 years and over is 8 tablets in 24 hours. How long to take it for If your doctor has prescribed co-codamol for you, take it as you've been advised.

Important If you have been taking co-codamol for more than a few weeks do not stop taking it without speaking to your doctor first. What if I take too much? Urgent advice: Contact for advice now if:. Some people are more likely to develop addiction than others. Y ou may be at risk for addiction if you have mental health problems such as depression or a history of substance abuse, including alcohol and recreational drugs. To reduce your risk of addiction, codeine should be used for the shortest possible time, at the lowest effective dose, with a plan in place to reduce and withdraw treatment.

The content on this page will be of most use to clinicians, such as nurses, doctors, pharmacists, specialists and other healthcare providers. Looking for Where to get medical help A health professional or service Patient portals Newsletters View all. Information for healthcare providers on codeine The content on this page will be of most use to clinicians, such as nurses, doctors, pharmacists, specialists and other healthcare providers.

Belongs to a group of medicines known as analgesics painkillers Opioid pain reliever. November Notification that codeine-containing medicines are now available on prescription only.

While both tablets are used for mild to moderate pain, it is co-codamol which is the more common of the two for its more generic properties. As with all medicinal products, please read the leaflet before taking co-codamol or speak to your doctor or pharmacist if there is anything you are unsure about.

You can purchase your co-codamol tablets or capsules from Weldricks Pharmacy, and should start to feel better quickly. If you think a higher dose of co-codamol is needed to ease your pain, speak to your GP who may be able to prescribe you this. Published: 23rd August, in: Health Advice Co-codamol is an extremely common medicine prescribed for pain relief, which can be purchased from many over the counter pharmacies.

What is co-codamol? What is co-codamol used for? Co-codamol is not generally recommended to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.