Co-Codamol 15/500 Tablets

For the relief of moderate pain.

Codeine is indicated in patients older than 12 years of age for the treatment of acute moderate pain which is not considered to be relieved by other analgesics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (alone).

Posology

Adults:

Two tablets every four to six hours when necessary, up to a maximum of eight tablets in 24 hours.

Elderly:

The adult dose is appropriate (please refer to section 4.4 for additional information on elderly patients).

Paediatric population

Children aged 16 to 18 years:

One to two tablets every 6 hours when necessary, up to a maximum of eight tablets in 24 hours.

Children aged 12 to 15 years:

One tablet every six hours when necessary, up to a maximum of four tablets in 24 hours.

Children aged less than 12 years: Codeine should not be used in children below the age of 12 years because of the risk of opioid toxicity due to the variable and unpredictable metabolism of codeine to morphine (see section 4.3 and 4.4).

Do not take for more than 3 days without consulting your doctor.

Prior to starting treatment with opioids, a discussion should be held with patients to put in place a strategy for ending treatment with codeine in order to minimise the risk of addiction and drug withdrawal syndrome (see section 4.4).

Method of administration

For oral administration. The tablets are to be taken whole.

• Hypersensitivity to the active substances or any of the other excipients listed in section 6.1.

• Conditions where morphine and opioids are contraindicated e.g., acute asthma, respiratory depression, acute alcoholism, head injuries, raised intra-cranial pressure, hepatocellular insufficiency and following biliary tract surgery; monoamine oxidase inhibitor therapy, concurrent or within 14 days.

• In all paediatric patients (0-18 years of age) who undergo tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome due to an increased risk of developing serious and life-threatening adverse reactions (see section 4.4)

• In women during breastfeeding (see section 4.6)

• In patients for whom it is known they are CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolisers

Care should be observed in administering the product to any patient, whose condition may be exacerbated by opioids, including the elderly, who may be sensitive to their central and gastro-intestinal effects, those on concurrent CNS depressant drugs, those with prostatic hypertrophy, hypothyroidism and those with inflammatory or obstructive bowel disorders, Addison's disease or myasthenia gravis. Care should also be observed if prolonged therapy is contemplated.

Caution is advised if paracetamol is administered concomitantly with flucloxacillin due to increased risk of high anion gap metabolic acidosis (HAGMA), particularly in patients with severe renal impairment, sepsis, malnutrition and other sources of glutathione deficiency (e.g. chronic alcoholism), as well as those using maximum daily doses of paracetamol. Close monitoring, including measurement of urinary 5-oxoproline, is recommended.

Risk from concomitant use of sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs:

Concomitant use of co-codamol and sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs may result in sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. Because of these risks, concomitant prescribing with these sedative medicines should be reserved for patients for whom alternative treatment options are not possible. If a decision is made to prescribe co-codamol concomitantly with sedative medicines, the lowest effective dose should be used, and the duration of treatment should be as short as possible. The patients should be followed closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation. In this respect, it is strongly recommended to inform patients and their caregivers to be aware of these symptoms (see section 4.5).

Risks from concomitant use of opioids and alcohol

Concomitant use of opioids, including codeine, with alcohol may result in sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. Concomitant use with alcohol is not recommended (see section 4.5).

CYP2D6 metabolism

Codeine is metabolised by the liver enzyme CYP2D6 into morphine, its active metabolite. If a patient has a deficiency or is completely lacking this enzyme an adequate analgesic effect will not be obtained. Estimates indicate that up to 7% of the Caucasian population may have this deficiency. However, if the patient is an extensive or ultra-rapid metaboliser there is an increased risk of developing side effects of opioid toxicity even at commonly prescribed doses. These patients convert codeine into morphine rapidly resulting in higher than expected serum morphine levels.

General symptoms of opioid toxicity include confusion, somnolence, shallow breathing, small pupils, nausea, vomiting, constipation and lack of appetite. In severe cases this may include symptoms of circulatory and respiratory depression, which may be life-threatening and very rarely fatal. Estimates of prevalence of ultra-rapid metabolisers in different populations are summarised below:

Drug dependence, tolerance and potential for abuse

For all patients, prolonged use of this product may lead to drug dependence (addiction), even at therapeutic doses. The risks are increased in individuals with current or past history of substance misuse disorder (including alcohol misuse) or mental health disorder (e.g., major depression).

Additional support and monitoring may be necessary when prescribing for patients at risk of opioid misuse.

A comprehensive patient history should be taken to document concomitant medications, including over-the-counter medicines and medicines obtained on-line, and past and present medical and psychiatric conditions.

Patients may find that treatment is less effective with chronic use and express a need to increase the dose to obtain the same level of pain control as initially experienced. Patients may also supplement their treatment with additional pain relievers. These could be signs that the patient is developing tolerance. The risks of developing tolerance should be explained to the patient.

Overuse or misuse may result in overdose and/or death. It is important that patients only use medicines that are prescribed for them at the dose they have been prescribed and do not give this medicine to anyone else.

Patients should be closely monitored for signs of misuse, abuse or addiction.

The clinical need for analgesic treatment should be reviewed regularly.

Drug withdrawal syndrome

Prior to starting treatment with any opioids, a discussion should be held with patients to put in place a withdrawal strategy for ending treatment with codeine.

Drug withdrawal syndrome may occur upon abrupt cessation of therapy or dose reduction. When a patient no longer requires therapy, it is advisable to taper the dose gradually to minimise symptoms of withdrawal. Tapering from a high dose may take weeks to months.

The opioid drug withdrawal syndrome is characterised by some or all of the following: restlessness, lacrimation, rhinorrhoea, yawning, perspiration, chills, myalgia, mydriasis and palpitations. Other symptoms may develop including irritability, agitation, anxiety, hyperkinesia, tremor, weakness, insomnia, anorexia, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, increased blood pressure, increased respiratory rate or heart rate.

If women take this drug during pregnancy, there is a risk that their newborn infants will experience neonatal withdrawal syndrome.

Hyperalgesia

Hyperalgesia may be diagnosed if the patient on long-term opioid therapy presents with increased pain. This might be qualitatively and anatomically distinct from pain related to disease progression or to breakthrough pain resulting from development of opioid tolerance. Pain associated with hyperalgesia tends to be more diffuse than the pre-existing pain and less defined in quality. Symptoms of hyperalgesia may resolve with a reduction of opioid dose.

Post-operative use in children

There have been reports in the published literature that codeine given post-operatively in children after tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy for obstructive sleep apnoea, led to rare, but life-threatening adverse events including death (see also section 4.3). All children received doses of codeine that were within the appropriate dose range; however there was evidence that these children were either ultra-rapid or extensive metabolisers in their ability to metabolise codeine to morphine.

Children with compromised respiratory function

Codeine is not recommended for use in children in whom respiratory function might be compromised including neuromuscular disorders, severe cardiac or respiratory conditions, upper respiratory or lung infections, multiple trauma or extensive surgical procedures. These factors may worsen symptoms of morphine toxicity.

Care is advised in the administration of paracetamol to patients with severe renal or severe hepatic impairment. The hazards of overdose are greater in those with alcoholic liver disease.

Use with caution in patients with convulsive disorders.

Patients should be advised not to exceed the recommended dose and not take other paracetamol-containing products concurrently.

The risk-benefit of continued use should be assessed regularly by the prescriber.

Co-codamol 15/500 Tablets should be used upon medical advice in patients with:

• Mild-to-moderate hepatocellular insufficiency

• Severe renal insufficiency

Monitoring after prolonged use should include blood count, liver function and renal function.

The leaflet will state in a prominent position in the 'before taking' section:

• Do not take for longer than your doctor tells you to.

• This medicine contains paracetamol. Do not take anything else containing paracetamol while taking this medicine.

• Taking a painkiller for headaches too often or for too long can make them worse.

The label will state (To be displayed prominently on outer pack – not boxed):

• Do not take for longer than directed by your prescriber as taking codeine regularly for a long time can lead to addiction.

• Do not take anything else containing paracetamol while taking this medicine. Talk to a doctor at once if you take too much of this medicine even if you feel well.

The effects of CNS depressants (including other opioid analgesics, tranquilisers, sedative hypnotics and alcohol) may be potentiated by codeine. When such therapy is contemplated, the dose of one or both agents should be reduced.

Patients receiving other narcotic analgesics, antitussive, antihypertensives, antihistamines, antipsychotics, antianxiety agents or other CNS depressants (including alcohol) concomitantly with this codeine containing drug may exhibit additive CNS depression.

Caution should be taken when paracetamol is used concomitantly with flucloxacillin as concurrent intake has been associated with high anion gap metabolic acidosis, especially in patients with risks factors (see section 4.4).

Concomitant administration of MAOI (e.g. tranylcypromine) can potentiate the central nervous effects and other side effects of unpredictable severity, Co-codamol should not be used within two weeks after the discontinuation of MAOI treatment.

Sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs:

The concomitant use of opioids with sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs increases the risk of sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. because of additive CNS depressant effect. The dose duration of concomitant use should be limited (see section 4.4).

Alcohol and opioids

The concomitant use of alcohol and opioids increases the risk of sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death because of additive CNS depressant effect. Concomitant use with alcohol is not recommended (see section 4.4).

Concurrent use of MAO inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants with codeine may increase the effect of either the antidepressant or codeine.

Concurrent use of anticholinergics and codeine may produce paralytic ileus.

Isoniazid may increase the risk of hepatotoxicity with therapeutic doses of paracetamol. Antiepileptics, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and primidone can reduce the effects of paracetamol and increase the risk of hepatotoxicity.

Paracetamol may increase the elimination half-life of chloramphenicol. Oral contraceptives may increase its rate of clearance. The speed of absorption of paracetamol may be increased by metoclopramide or domperidone and absorption reduced by cholestyramine.

The anticoagulant effect of warfarin and other coumarins may be enhanced by prolonged regular use of paracetamol with increased risk of bleeding; occasional doses have no significant effect.

Pregnancy

Codeine

There is inadequate evidence of the safety of codeine in human pregnancy. Animal studies with codeine do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3).

Paracetamol

A large amount of data on pregnant women indicate neither malformative, nor feto/neonatal toxicity. Epidemiological studies on neurodevelopment in children exposed to paracetamol in utero show inconclusive results. If clinically needed paracetamol can be used during pregnancy however it should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time and at the lowest possible frequency.

Co-codamol

As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of co-codamol during pregnancy. Regular use during pregnancy may cause drug dependence in the foetus, leading to withdrawal symptoms in the neonate.

If opioid use is required for a prolonged period in a pregnant woman, advise the patient of the risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and ensure that appropriate treatment will be available.

Administration during labour may depress respiration in the neonate and an antidote for the child should be readily available.

Breast-feeding

Paracetamol is excreted in breast milk but not in a clinically significant amount.

Co-codamol 15/500 Tablets is contraindicated during breast-feeding (see section 4.3), as codeine may be secreted in breast milk and may cause respiratory depression in the infant.

Fertility

There are no data on the effects of co-codamol on human fertility. Fertility was unaffected following paracetamol or codeine treatment in animal studies (see section 5.3).

This medicine can impair cognitive function and can affect a patient's ability to drive safely. This class of medicine is in the list of drugs included in regulations under 5a of the Road Traffic Act 1988. When prescribing this medicine, patients should be told:

• The medicine is likely to affect your ability to drive

• Do not drive until you know how the medicine affects you

• It is an offence to drive while under the influence of this medicine

• However, you would not be committing an offence (called 'statutory defence') if:

- The medicine has been prescribed to treat a medical or dental problem and

- You have taken it according to the instructions given by the prescriber and in the information provided with the medicine and

- It was not affecting your ability to drive safely

• Regular prolonged use of codeine is known to lead to addiction and tolerance. Symptoms of restlessness and irritability may result when treatment is then stopped.

• Prolonged use of a painkiller for headaches can make them worse.

The information below lists reported adverse reactions, ranked using the following frequency classification:

Very common (≥ 1/10); common (≥ 1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥ 1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Blood and the lymphatic system

Not known: blood dyscrasias including thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis

Immune system disorders

Not known: anaphylactic shock, angioedema, allergic reactions (hypersensitivity) including skin rash

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Not Known: Respiratory depression

Hepatobiliary disorders

Not known: cytolytic hepatitis, which may lead to acute hepatic failure

Psychiatric disorders

Not Known: Confusional state, dysphoria, euphoria, drug dependence (see section 4.4)

Nervous system disorders

Not known: dizziness, light-headedness, seizure, headache, somnolence

Eye disorders

Not Known: Miosis

Ear and labyrinth disorders

Not known: ototoxicity leading to sensorineural hearing loss.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Not known: pancreatitis, constipation, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Very rare cases of serious skin reactions have been reported.

Renal and urinary disorders

Not known: urinary retention

General disorders and administration site conditions

Uncommon: drug withdrawal syndrome

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product.

Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Paracetamol

Liver damage is possible in adults who have taken 10g or more of paracetamol. Ingestion of 5g or more of paracetamol may lead to liver damage if the patient has risk factors (see below).

Risk factors

If the patient:

• is on long term treatment with carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, phenytoin, primidone, rifampicin, St. John's Wort or other drugs that induce liver enzymes, or

• regularly consumes ethanol in excess of recommended amounts, or

• is likely to be glutathione depleted e.g. eating disorders, cystic fibrosis, HIV infection, starvation, cachexia.

Symptoms

Symptoms of paracetamol overdosage in the first 24 hours are pallor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain. Liver damage may become apparent 12 to 48 hours after ingestion. Abnormalities of glucose metabolism and metabolic acidosis may occur. In severe poisoning, hepatic failure may progress to encephalopathy, disseminated intravascular coagulation, haemorrhage, hypoglycaemia, cerebral oedema and death. Acute renal failure with acute tubular necrosis, strongly suggested by loin pain, haematuria and proteinuria may develop even in the absence of severe liver damage. Cardiac arrhythmias and pancreatitis have been reported.

Management

Immediate treatment is essential in the management of paracetamol overdose. Despite a lack of significant early symptoms, patients should be referred to hospital urgently for immediate medical attention. Symptoms may be limited to nausea or vomiting and may not reflect the severity of overdose or the risk of organ damage. Management should be in accordance with established treatment guidelines (see BNF overdose section).

Treatment with activated charcoal should be considered if the overdose has been taken within 1 hour. Plasma paracetamol concentration should be measured at 4 hours or later after ingestion (earlier concentrations are unreliable). Treatment with N-acetylcysteine may be used up to 24 hours after ingestion of paracetamol, however, the maximum protective effect is obtained up to 8 hours post-ingestion. The effectiveness of the antidote declines sharply after this time. If required the patient should be given intravenous N-acetylcysteine, in line with the established dosage schedule. If vomiting is not a problem, oral methionine may be a suitable alternative for remote areas, outside hospital. Management of patients who present with serious hepatic dysfunction beyond 24h from ingestion should be discussed with the National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) or a liver unit.

Further measures will depend on the severity, nature and course of clinical symptoms of paracetamol intoxication and should follow standard intensive care protocols.

Codeine

The effects in overdosage will be potentiated by simultaneous ingestion of alcohol and psychotropic drugs. Patients should be informed of the signs and symptoms of overdose and to ensure that family and friends are also aware of these signs and to seek immediate medical help if they occur.

Symptoms

Central nervous system depression, including respiratory depression, may develop but is unlikely to be severe unless other sedative agents have been co-ingested, including alcohol, or the overdose is very large. The pupils may be pin-point in size; nausea and vomiting are common. Hypotension and tachycardia are possible but unlikely.

Management

This should include general symptomatic and supportive measures including a clear airway and monitoring of vital signs until stable. Consider activated charcoal if an adult presents within one hour of ingestion of more than 350mg or a child more than 5mg/kg.

Give naloxone if coma or respiratory depression is present. Naloxone is a competitive antagonist and has a short half-life so large and repeated doses may be required in a seriously poisoned patient. Observe for at least four hours after ingestion, or eight hours if a sustained release preparation has been taken.

The opioid antagonist naloxone hydrochloride is an antidote to respiratory depression and must be administered intravenously.

Patients should be advised to first consult their healthcare professional before taking codeine if they are taking a benzodiazepine.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Paracetamol, combinations excl. Psycholeptics ATC Code: N02B E51

Paracetamol is an analgesic which acts peripherally, probably by blocking impulse generation at the bradykinin sensitive chemo-receptors which evoke pain. Although it is a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, the synthetase system in the CNS rather than the periphery appears to be more sensitive to it. This may explain paracetamol's lack of appreciable anti-inflammatory activity. Paracetamol also exhibits antipyretic activity.

Codeine is a centrally acting weak analgesic. Codeine exerts its effects through µ opioid receptors, although codeine has low affinity for these receptors, and its analgesic effect is due to its conversion to morphine. Codeine, particularly in combination with other analgesics such as paracetamol, has been shown to be effective in acute nociceptive pain.

Paracetamol is rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Concentration in plasma reaches a peak in 30-60 minutes. Plasma half-life is 1-4 hours. Paracetamol is relatively uniformly distributed throughout most body fluids, plasma protein binding is variable.

Codeine phosphate is well absorbed after oral administration and is widely distributed. About 86% is excreted in the urine in 24 hours; 40-70% if free or conjugated morphine, 5-15% is free or conjugated norcodeine.

The bioavailabilities of paracetamol and codeine, when given as the combination, are similar to those when they are given separately.

Paracetamol

Conventional studies using the currently accepted standards for the evaluation of toxicity to reproduction and development are not available.

Pregelatinised starch

Maize starch

Povidone

Potassium sorbate

Microcrystalline cellulose

Stearic acid

Purified Talc

Magnesium stearate

Croscarmellose sodium (type A)

Not applicable

2 years.

Do not store above 25° C. Store in the original package.

PVC (250μ m)/20μ m Aluminium child resistant foil / 15μ m PVC blister packs

Or

PVC (250µ m)/35gsm glassine/9µ m Aluminium child resistant foil blister packs

Pack sizes: 100 tablets.

No special requirements.