CO-CODAMOL TABLETS - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Important information about Co-codamol

• Do not take for longer than directed by your prescriber
• 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 a painkiller for headaches too often or for too long can make them worse.

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 any 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

1. what co-codamol is and what it is used for

The name of your medicine is Co-codamol Tablets (called Co-codamol in this leaflet). Co-codamol contains two different medicines called:

• Codeine
• Paracetamol

These medicines both belong to a group of medicines called pain-killers (analgesics)

Co-codamol is used as an analgesic for the treatment of mild to moderate pain including headache, neuralgia, toothache, sore throat, period pains and the symptomatic relief of influenza, feverishness and feverish colds, especially where aches and pains are present.

2. Before you take Co-codamol

• You have problems with your kidneys or liver

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 with Co-codamol

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Co-codamol if:

• You are pregnant or breast-feeding (see Pregnancy and breast-feeding section below)

If this applies to you (or you are not sure), check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Co-codamol.

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 or codeine

This includes other pain-killers, and some cough and cold remedies. It also includes other medicines available from your pharmacist and more widely in shops. Always check the name of the medicines inside anything you buy or are prescribed, to see if they contain paracetamol or codeine.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• Medicines used to thin the blood (such as warfarin)
• Metoclopramide or domperidone – used for feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
• Cholestyramine – used for high cholesterol and fat levels in the blood

If you are not sure if the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Co-codamol.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant, might become pregnant or are breast-feeding.

Driving and using machines

Important information about Co-codamol

• Do not take for longer than directed by your prescriber
• 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 a painkiller for headaches too often or for too long can make them worse.

3. how to take co-codamol

Always take Co-codamol as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

• Do not take more than the dose you have been told
• Do not take for longer than your doctor tells you

How to take

• Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water
• Do not crush or chew the tablets
• Leave at least 3 to 4 hours between each dose of Co-codamol

How much to take

• Do not take more than 8 tablets in any 24 hour period

Children 6 to 12 years of age

• The usual dose is half to 1 tablet
• Do not take more than 4 tablets in any 24 hour period.

Co-codamol is not suitable for children under 6 years of age.

If you think that the effect of Co-codamol is too strong or too weak, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Changing the dose after taking Co-codamol regularly for a long time

Taking Co-codamol regularly and for a long time can make you addicted to the medicine. If you have taken regular daily doses of Co-codamol for a long time, talk to your doctor before increasing the dose or before suddenly stopping treatment.

If you take more Co-codamol than you should

• Immediate medical advice should be sought in the event of an overdose, even if you feel well, because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage.
• Remember to take this medicine pack and any remaining tablets with you, so the doctor knows what you have taken

If you forget to take Co-codamol

• If you forget a dose, do not worry, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose
• Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose
• Remember to leave at least 3 to 4 hours between doses

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. possible side effects

Like all medicines, Co-codamol can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Important side effects you should know about Co-codamol

• Taking codeine regularly for a long time can make you addicted to the medicine. This means that when you stop taking the tablets, you might feel restless and irritable
• Taking a painkiller for headaches too often or for too long can make them worse

Stop taking Co-codamol and see a doctor straight away if:

• You develop an allergic reaction. Signs of an allergic reaction include a rash, swelling of your face, lips, mouth and throat, difficulty swallowing or difficulty breathing

Other possible side effects may include:

• Constipation
• Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
• Feeling dizzy, light-headed or sleepy
• Feeling confused
• Skin rash
• Disorders of the blood (thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis).

If any of the side effects get serious or lasts for longer than a few days or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

5. how to store co-codamol

Keep out of the reach and sight of children.

Do not use Co-codamol after the expiry date stated on label. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.

Store your medicine in the original container.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6. Further information

• The other ingredients are starch (maize), potassium sorbate (E 202), sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate and pregelatinised maize starch.

What Co-codamol Tablets look like and the contents of the pack:

Co-codamol Tablets are white, flat, round, bevelled edge tablets with a short breakline.

They are available in containers of 50, 100, 250 and 500 tablets.

Not all pack sizes or pack types may be marketed.

Date of leaflet revision: March 2016