Active ingredient
- codeine phosphate
- paracetamol
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 17907/0162 .
Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets
Package Leaflet: Information for the user
Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets
(Codeine phosphate and Paracetamol)
Important things you should know about Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
What is in this leaflet:
1. What Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets are and what they are used for
2. What you need to know before you take Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets
3. How to take Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets are and what they are used for
2. What you need to know before you take Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets
Do not take Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets:
Warnings and precautions
Take special care with this medicine and talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you have:
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
Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets must not be given to children under 12 years of age
Use in children and adolescents after surgery
Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets 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
Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets are not recommended in children with breathing problems, since the symptoms of morphine toxicity may be worse in these children.
Other medicines and Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets
This medicine contains paracetamol.
Do not take anything else containing paracetamol while taking this medicine.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
The following medicines can affect Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets:
concomitant use of Co-codamol and sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs increases the risk of drowsiness, difficulties in breathing (respiratory depression), coma and may be life-threatening. Because of this, concomitant use should only be considered when other treatment options are not possible. However, if your doctor does prescribe Co-codamol together with sedative medicines the dose and duration of concomitant treatment should be limited by your doctor. Please tell your doctor about all sedative medicines you are taking and follow your doctor’s dose recommendation closely. It could be helpful to inform friends or relatives to be aware of the signs and symptoms stated above. Contact your doctor when experiencing such symptoms.
If you go into hospital for surgery or tests, tell your doctor you are taking Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets, as you may interact with some anaesthetics and influence the results of certain tests and diagnostic procedures.
Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets with food, drink and alcohol
If your diet is poor or you have a low protein intake, you may be at a higher risk of serious paracetamol poisoning when taking Boots Paracetamol & Codeine tablets.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
If necessary, paracetamol can be used during pregnancy. You should use the lowest possible dose that reduces your pain and/or your fever and use it for the shortest time possible. Contact your doctor or midwife if the pain and/or fever are not reduced or if you need to take the medicine more often
Driving and using machines
Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets may cause dizziness, blurred vision or the inability to think clearly. Make sure you are not affected before you drive or operate machinery.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure whether it is safe for you to drive while taking this medicine.
Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets contain Benzoates
3. How to take Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets
Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The recommended dose is:
Adults over 18 years:
Children aged 16 to 18 years:
Children aged 12 to 15 years:
Children aged less than 12 years:
Do not take for more than 3 days. If you need to use this medicine for more than 3 days you must speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you stop taking Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets
Do not exceed the stated dose. If symptoms persist consult your doctor.
If you take more Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets than you should
Seek immediate medical advice in the event of an overdose, even if you feel well, because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage.
If you (or someone else) swallow a lot of tablets at the same time, or you think a child may have swallowed any, contact your nearest hospital casualty department or tell your doctor immediately. Symptoms of an overdose include feeling or being sick, loss of appetite, stomach pain, coma, pale skin, low blood pressure, pinpoint pupils, fast heartbeat or difficulty breathing.
If you forget to take Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember it and then take the next dose at the right time.
4. Possible Side Effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
STOP taking co-codamol and see a doctor or go to a hospital straight away if:
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
You get swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, increased sweating, redness or flushed face, mucosal lesions (such as mouth ulcers), drug fever. 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.
Tell your doctor straight away if you notice any of the following side effects:
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects gets serious or lasts longer than a few days:
Other side effects:
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. 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 the 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 to talk to your doctor:
5. How to store Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets contain
What Boots Paracetamol & Codeine Tablets look like and contents of the pack
Who makes this medicine
Manufactured for
by the Marketing Authorisation holder
Leaflet revised October 2020
If you would like any further information about this medicine, please contact
Other formats
To request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call free of charge:
0800 198 5000 (UK only)
Please be ready to give the following information:
Product name: Boots Paracetamol and Codeine Tablets
Reference number: 17907/0162
This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People
Artwork reference: WBAG453133