Description
This medicine is sold under the discretion of a Well Pharmacist.
You will be required to answer a few short questions to ensure this medicine is suitable for you.
Co-Codamol is a type of painkiller that contains paracetamol and codeine. Treatment of acute moderate pain that is not relieved by other painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen alone. For headache, migraine, toothache, period pains, rheumatic pains, muscle pain and backache.
How To Use
For oral administration only. These tablets should be dissolved in at least half a glass of water before taking them. The solution should be drunk immediately after preparation.
These tablets are meant to be dissolved first so don’t try to swallow them whole.
The usual doses for Co-codamol 8/500 are as follows:
Adults:
Should take 1 or 2 tablets dissolved in water every 6 hours, as needed. Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours.
Children 16-18 years:
One to two tablets dissolved in water every 6 hours when necessary to a maximum of 8 tablets in 24 hours.
Children 12-15 years:
One tablet dissolved in water every 6 hours when necessary. Do not take more than 4 tablets in 24 hours.
Elderly:
Dosage is usually reduced in the elderly with liver damage.
This medicine should not be taken for more than 3 days. If the pain does not improve after 3 days, talk to your doctor for advice. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Co-codamol 8/500 should not be taken by children below the age of 12 years, due to the risk of severe breathing problems.
Warnings
Talk to your doctor at once if you take too much of this medicine even if you feel well. This is because too much paracetamol can cause delayed serious liver damage.
If you forget to take Co-codamol 8/500:
If you forget to take one or more doses, take your next dose when you remember and then go on as prescribed.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Co-Codamol 8/500 if you:
• have an under-active thyroid gland
• have a disease or tumour of the Adrenal gland such as Addison's disease or high blood
pressure caused by a tumour near a kidney (pheochromocytoma)
• have a condition called myasthenia gravis which weakens the muscles
• are elderly
• feel weak, have low blood pressure or are in shock
• are already taking other medicines containing paracetamol
• have liver or kidney problems
• are on a low sodium diet
• have an inflammatory bowel disease
• have a gall bladder disease or gall stones
• recently had surgery on your gastro-intestinal tract or urinary system
• have an enlarged prostate gland and have difficulty urinating and are male
• suffer from epilepsy or suffered head injury or raised pressure in the skull (may cause
painful eyes, changes in vision or headache behind the eyes)
• suffer from alcoholism, drug abuse or dependence or mental illness
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your
doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
Do not take Co-codamol tablets during pregnancy, unless advised by your doctor. Regular
use during pregnancy may cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn
Co-Codamol tablets may cause dizziness, blurred vision or the inability to think clearly.
Make sure you are not affected before you drive or operate machinery.
This medicine can affect your ability to drive as it may make you sleepy or dizzy.
This medicine contains paracetamol. Do not take anything else containing paracetamol while taking this medicine.
Do not take these tablets if you are already taking other medicines containing paracetamol.
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other
medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription, as they may decrease or increase the effect of Co-codamol 8/500.
Ingredients
The active ingredients are paracetamol and codeine phosphate hemihydrate. Each tablet
contains 500mg paracetamol and 8mg codeine phosphate hemihydrate. The other ingredients are sodium hydrogen carbonate, citric acid anhydrous, sodium carbonate, povidone, simeticone, sodium saccharin, aspartame (E951) and polysorbate 80.
See patient information leaflet for further information.
