What Co-codamol 8/500 mg are and what they are used for?

Co-Codamol 8/500 mg - Pack of 32 contains a combination of two ingredients paracetamol and codeine phosphate. Paracetamol is a non-narcotic analgesic (pain killer) This product contains codeine. Codeine belongs to a group of medicines called opioid analgesics which act to relieve pain. Codeine can be used on its own or in combination with other pain killers such as paracetamol.

Co-codamol is used for short term treatment of acute moderate pain caused by headaches, migraine, toothache, neuralgia, period pain and rheumatic pains when other pain killers have not worked. Wait at least 4 hours after you last took other painkillers before taking this medicine. It can be used in adults and children over 12 years of age for the short-term relief of moderate pain that is not relieved by other pain killers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen alone.

What you need to know before you take Co-Codamol 8/500 mg - Pack of 32?

This medicine contains codeine which can cause addiction if you take it continuously for more than 3 days. This can give you withdrawal symptoms from the medicine when you stop taking it. If you take a painkiller for headaches for more than 3 days it can make them worse.

Do not take Co-codamol:

• If you are allergic to paracetamol or codeine phosphate or any of the other ingredients
• The person is going to take the tablets under 12 years of age. Co-codamol must not be given to children under 12 years of age.
• If you have diarrhoea caused by poisoning or severe bloody diarrhoea.
• If you have difficulty in breathing, or other chronic lung disease
• If you having an asthma attack.
• If you are breast feeding
• Co-codamol may cause dizziness, blurred vision or the inability to think clearly.
• It can affect your ability to drive as it may make you sleepy or dizzy.
• Do not drive while taking this medicine until you know how it affects you.