Active ingredient
- paracetamol
- codeine phosphate hemihydrate
Legal Category
P: Pharmacy
P: Pharmacy
The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.
Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet. The original leaflet can be viewed using the link above.
The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL 17780/0072.
Co-codamol 8/500 Effervescent Tablets
PACKAGE LEAFLET – INFORMATION FOR THE USER
CO-CODAMOL 8/500 EFFERVESCENT TABLETS
Codeine Phosphate and Paracetamol
Important things you should know about co-codamol
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
What is in this leafet:
1. What co-codamol is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take co-codamol
3. How to take co-codamol
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store co-codamol
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. WHAT CO-CODAMOL IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
The name of your medicine is Co-codamol 8/500 Effervescent Tablets (called co-codamol throughout this leaflet). Co-codamol contains codeine phosphate and paracetamol. Codeine belongs to a group of medicines called opioid analgesics which act to relieve pain. It can be used on its own or in combination with other pain killers such as paracetamol. Co-codamol is for the short term treatment of acute moderate pain caused by headaches, migraine, toothache, neuralgia, period pain and rheumatic pains when other painkillers have not worked. Wait at least 4 hours after you last took other painkillers before taking this medicine. Co-codamol can be used in children over 12 years of age for the short-term relief of moderate pain that is not relieved by other painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen alone.
2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE CO-CODAMOL
Warnings and precautions
Do not take co-codamol and tell your doctor if:
Do not take co-codamol if any of the above applies 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:
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
Codeine is transformed to morphine in the liver by an enzyme. Morphine is the substance that produces pain relief. Some people have a variation of this enzyme and this can affect people in different ways. In some people, morphine is not produced or produced in very small quantities, and it will not provide enough pain relief. Other people are more likely to get serious side effects because a very high amount of morphine is produced. If you notice any of the following side effects, you must stop taking this medicine and seek immediate medical advice: slow or shallow breathing, confusion, sleepiness, small pupils, feeling or being sick, constipation, lack of appetite.
Children and adolescents
Use in children and adolescents after surgery
Co-codamol should not be used for pain relief in children and adolescents after removal of their tonsils or adenoids due to Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome.
Use in children with breathing problems
Co-codamol is not recommended in children with breathing problems, since the symptoms of morphine toxicity may be worse in these children.
Other medicines and co-codamol
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.
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 or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines, or have taken them in the past two weeks:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines:
If you are not sure if any of the above applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking co-codamol.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Talk to your doctor before taking these tablets if:
Driving and using machines
Co-codamol can affect your ability to drive as it may make you sleepy or dizzy.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure whether it is safe for you to drive whilst taking this medicine.
Co-codamol contains sodium and sorbitol
3. HOW TO TAKE CO-CODAMOL
Always take co-codamol exactly as instructed on this leaflet. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Adults and the elderly: 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours when necessary up to a maximum of 8 tablets in 24 hours.
Children aged 16 to 18 years: 1 to 2 tablets every 6 hours when necessary up to a maximum of four doses in 24 hours.
Children aged 12 to 15 years: 1 tablet every 6 hours when necessary to a maximum of four doses in 24 hours.
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.
Children under 12 years: Co-codamol should not be given to children under 12 years of age due to the risk of severe breathing problems.
If you take more co-codamol than you should
Talk to a 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.
Remember to take any remaining tablets and the pack with you. This is so the doctor knows what you have taken
If you forget to take co-codamol
If you forget to take a dose at the right time, take it as soon as you remember.
However do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Remember to leave at least 4 hours between doses.
If you stop taking co-codamol
This medicine contains codeine and can cause addiction if you take it continuously for more than 3 days. When you stop taking it you may get withdrawal symptoms.
You should talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you think you are suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The following side effects may happen with this medicine:
Important side-effects you should know about co-codamol
Stop taking co-codamol and see a doctor or go to a hospital straight away if:
Talk to your doctor straight away if you notice any of the following serious side effects:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects gets serious or lasts longer than a few days:
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How do I know if I am addicted?
If you take this medicine according to the instructions on the pack it is unlikely that you will become addicted to the medicine. However, if the following apply to you it is important that you talk to your doctor:
5. HOW TO STORE CO-CODAMOL
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date shown on the pack. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Store your medicine in the original packaging in order to protect from moisture.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION
What Co-codamol 8/500 Effervescent Tablets contain
Contents of pack
Co-codamol 8/500 Effervescent Tablets come in cartons of 24 and 32 tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
The Marketing Authorisation Holder is
The Manufacturer is
This leaflet was last updated in October 2020
420981_793164 PB Cocodamol 500-8mg GB.indd
420981/793164/1065022361-10.20-GB
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