Co-codamol Tablets

Buy Co-codamol Tablets Online

You can buy co-codamol tablets online from our UK registered online pharmacy. This medication should be used with caution due to the potential for addiction. Used correctly, it can help alleviate pain which pain killers such as paracetamol alone, is not effective on.

What is Co-Codamol?

Co-codamol 8/500mg is a combination of two different painkillers;

1. Paracetamol 500mg which is also known as Acetaminophen and is thought to reduce pain signals to the brain.
2. Codeine 8mg. Codeine is an opiate and works by affecting pain receptors in the brain and central nervous system which in turn blocks pain signals to the rest of the body.

Co-codamol 8/500mg is used when other painkillers have not worked for acute to moderate pain such as;

• Headache (plus other cold flu symptoms such as temperature or a sore throat)
• Period pain
• Migraine
• Toothache

As codeine can cause addition, this medication should not be used for more than 3 days unless advised to do so by your doctor.

It should also be noted co-codamol contains paracetamol. This means you should not take any other paracetamol medication when using co-codamol as you will be at risk of overdosing on paracetamol.

How to take Co-codamol

The adult dose of co-codamol is 2 tablets up to four times daily. It may be taken with or without food. Gaps of 4-6 hours should be left between doses, and you should not take any other item which contains paracetamol. The maximum total dose of paracetamol for an adult is 4g daily. As each co-codamol tablet contains 500mg of paracetamol, you will take your maximum paracetamol dose if you take 8 tablets in 24 hours. 

As co-codamol may cause drowsiness, you should see how the medication affects you before driving or using machinery. 

Warnings

Codeine should only be used to relieve acute moderate pain in children older than 12 years and only if it cannot be relieved by other painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen alone.

Codeine is not recommended for adolescents (12–18 years) who have problems with breathing.

Taking too much opioid medicine, whether intentional or not, is called an overdose. This can be very serious and may cause death.

• Confusion or hallucinations
• Slurred speech
• Lips or fingernails are blue or purple
• Poor coordination or balance
• Unresponsive or unconscious
• Heavy or unusual snoring
• Difficulty breathing or no breathing
• Very small pupils in the eyes

Your family, friends, and carers should know these signs so they can take immediate action.  If you think that you or someone else has taken too much of their opioid medicine, dial 999 immediately. Please see this UK Government information for further advice.

How does co-codamol work?

Co-codamol has a dual mechanism of action. Paracetamol is thought to block chemical pathways to the brain which signal pain, while codeine works on pain receptors to block pain signalling to the rest of the body.

How long does it take for co-codamol to work?

You should notice pain relief around 1 hour after taking co-codamol.

Is co-codamol addictive?

Yes. As co-codamol contains the opioid codeine, it can be addictive if taken for long periods of time, or if abused. You should take this medication as directed by your doctor or pharmacist, and read the information leaflet on use.

Can I drink alcohol with co-codamol?

If you drink when taking any opioid medication including codeine, you are at risk of increasing the effects of drowsiness on the body. Otherwise, it should be okay to drink when taking co-codamol if you are not affected by the side-effect of drowsiness.

Can I drive when taking co-codamol?

You should wait to see how the medication affects you before driving or operating machinery. If you experience drowsiness after taking co-codamol, you should avoid driving.

• Can I drink alcohol whilst on co-codamol tablets?

  Do not drink alcohol along whilst on co-codamol as you are more likely to suffer from the side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision and confusion.

• Can you drive whilst on co-codamol tablets?

  If you are affected by any of the above side effects such as drowsiness etc then you should NOT drive or operate any machinery.

Side Effects of Co-Codamol

• Constipation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness or confusion
• Slow heart rate, sweating, low blood pressure, palpitations
• Difficulty passing urine, difficulty breathing

These are a few of the side effects that may occur if you suffer from these more than a few days or any other side effect whilst on the tablets contact your doctor for further advice.

Adults and children over 18 years old; take one to two tablets up to four times a day, maximum of eight tablets in divided doses over a 24hr period.

Children 16-18 years old: take: one to two tablets every 6hours, maximum of eight tablets in the 24hr period.

Children 12-15 years old: take one tablet every 6hours when necessary to a maximum of four tablets in 24hrs.

Do not take along with any other paracetamol or paracetamol-containing product as this product contains paracetamol.

Do not take more than four times in 24hrs and dose should not be used any more frequently than every 4 hours.

Do not take co-codamol if you are allergic to the active ingredients or other excipients in the product.

Contact your doctor before taking co-codamol if you come under the following categories

• Respiratory depression(shallow breathing)
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Alcohol dependence
• Liver damage
• Breastfeeding
• Stomach pain
• You are under 18years and have had tonsils or adenoids removed due to obstructive sleep apnoea

Check with patient information leaflet for any other additional warnings.

Each Co-codamol 8/500mg Tablet contains:  500mg of paracetamol and 8mg of codeine phosphate