CO-CODAMOL 8/500 TABLETS
Codeine Phosphate and Paracetamol
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again If you have further questions, please ask your doctor or pharmacist Do not pass this medicine on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours. If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
- 1. What co-codamol is and what it is used for
- 2. Before you take co-codamol
- 3. How to take co-codamol
- 4. Possible side effects
- 5. How to store co-codamol
- 6. Further information.
What Co-Codamol Is And What It Is Used For
The name of your medicine is Co-codamol 8/500 Tablets (called co-codamol throughout this leaflet). Co-codamol contains two different medicines called codeine phosphate and paracetamol.
It belongs to a group of medicines called analgesics (painkillers) and is used to treat headache including migraine, toothache, neuralgia, period pain, pain caused by rheumatism and arthritis and to relieve the symptoms of colds, flu and sore throats.
Before You Take Co-Codamol
Important things you should know about co-codamol
If you need to use this medicine for more than three days at a time, see your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional.
Taking Codeine regularly for a long time can lead to addiction, which might cause you to feel restless and irritable when you stop the tablets.
Taking painkillers for headaches too often can make them worse.
Do not take co-codamol and tell your doctor if:
- You are allergic (hypersensitive) to codeine, paracetamol or any of the other ingredients in your medicine (listed in Section 6: Further information)
Signs of an allergic reaction include a rash and breathing problems. There can also be swelling of the legs, arms, face, throat or tongue - The person going to take the tablets is under 12 years of age. Co-codamol must not be given to children under 12 years of age
Do not take co-codamol if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking co-codamol.
Take special care and check with your doctor before taking co-codamol if:
- You have severe kidney or liver problems.
If you are not sure if the above applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines.
This includes medicines obtained without a prescription, including herbal medicines. This is because co-codamol can affect the way some other medicines work. Also, some other medicines can affect the way co-codamol works.
While taking co-codamol you should not take any other medicines which contain paracetamol.
This includes some painkillers, cough and cold remedies. It also includes a wide range of other medicines available from your doctor and more widely in shops.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- Medicines used to thin the blood such as warfarin
- Metoclopramide or domperidone -used to stop you feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
- Colestyramine - for lowering blood cholesterol levels
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Co-codamol.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
- If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or plan to get pregnant, talk to your doctor before taking these tablets.
- You can take co-codamol whilst breast-feeding.
Changing or stopping treatment
Taking co-codamol for a long time may lead to tolerance and dependence. Do not increase or suddenly stop treatment without discussing this with your doctor.
How To Take Co-Codamol
Always take co-codamol exactly as instructed on the leaflet. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Do not take more than the recommended dose
Do not take for longer than your doctor or pharmacist tells you to
Adults and children over 12
- Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water
- The usual dose of co-codamol is 2 tablets, taken together
- Wait at least 4 hours before taking another dose
- Do not take more than 8 tablets in any 24-hour period
Children: Co-codamol should not be given to children under 12 years of age.
If you take more co-codamol than you should:
- Tell your doctor or go to your nearest hospital casualty department straight away - even if you feel well. This is because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage
- Remember to take any remaining tablets and the pack with you. This is so the doctor knows what you have taken.
If you have forgotten to take co-codamol
If you forget to take a dose at the right time, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at or near the same time.
Remember to leave at least 4 hours between doses.
Possible Side Effects
As with all medicines, co-codamol can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects may happen with this medicine:
Stop taking co-codamol and see a doctor or go to a hospital straight away if:
- You get swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing. You could also notice an itchy, lumpy rash (hives) or nettle rash (urticaria)
This may mean you are having an allergic reaction to co-codamol
Talk to your doctor straight away if you notice the following serious side effect:
- Severe stomach pain, which may reach through to your back. This could be a sign of inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). This is a very rare side effect.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects gets serious or lasts longer than a few days:
- Constipation, feeling sick (nausea). being sick (vomiting)
- Dizziness, light-headedness, drowsiness, confusion
- Difficulty in passing water
- Becoming dependent on codeine
- You get infections or bruise more easily than usual. This could be because of a blood problem
If any of the side effects gets serious, lasts longer than a few days or you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell our doctor or pharmacist.
How To Store Co-Codamol
Keep this medicine in a safe place out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date shown on the pack.
Store your medicine in the original packaging in order to protect from moisture.
Do not store above 25°C.
Further Information
What Co-codamol 8/500 Tablets contain and what they look like
- Each Co-codamol 8/500 Tablet contains 8mg of codeine phosphate and 500mg of paracetamol as the active ingredients.
- The other ingredients are, maize starch, povidone, potassium sorbate, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, talc, pregelatinised starch and purified water.
- Co-codamol 8/500 Tablets are flat, white tablets, marked with S/4 on one side. They come in cartons of 32 tablets.
The Marketing Authorisation Holder is
The manufacturer is:
South Yorkshire
This leaflet was last updated in March 2008 'Winthrop' is a registered trademark © 2008 Winthrop Pharmaceuticals.
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