Co-codamol: Essential Information and Recommendations

Co-codamol: Essential Information and Recommendations

Co-codamol is a type of painkiller comprised of 500 mg of paracetamol and 8-60 mg of codeine and can be obtained with a prescription. Paracetamol is a type of medication that is taken to relieve pain and reduce fevers. Codeine is a narcotic drug in the morphine family and is an effective pain reliever.

Half-life is a term used to describe the length of time it takes for the concentration of a drug in the body to reduce by half. Paracetamol has a half-life of 1.5-3 hours and is not easily metabolized by the body, so the half-life will be longer if you have a liver problem. In healthy individuals, traces of paracetamol in the body should be completely gone within 20 hours.

Codeine has a slightly longer half-life of 2.5-3 hours, although it still has an effect for 4-6 hours after being taken and can be detected in the urine for up to three days. As codeine is derived from morphine, it is faster acting, stronger and more effective at treating pain than paracetamol. Because co-codamol contains codeine, it can also be detected in the body for up to 3 days.

What is co-codamol taken for?

Co-codamol varies in strength, the strongest being 30 mg codeine and 500 mg (30/50) paracetamol. It is usually prescribed as a three-day course of treatment for adults (18 years and older) experiencing moderate to severe pain, and for adolescents (12-18 years old) experiencing acute moderate pain.

Paracetamol can be bought over the counter in any pharmacy and is usually taken to relieve moderate pain. Codeine is a type of opioid that acts in a similar way to the body’s natural painkillers, called endorphins. It works by blocking pain signals to the brain which prevents us from feeling pain, although the cause of the pain still exists.

Dosage

Co-codamol comes in tablets or capsules for swallowing, or as a soluble tablet for dissolving in water. It can be taken on an empty stomach. The most common dosages of co-codamol are 8mg codeine and 500mg paracetamol (8/500), 15/500 and 30/500, which can only be obtained with a prescription from a doctor. However, you can also get lower dosages below 15/500 over the counter without a prescription.

Adults over the age of 18 and adolescents between the ages of 16 and 18 years old should take 2 co-codamol tablets up to four times a day, with a maximum daily dose of 8 tablets. Tablets should be taken 4 hours apart, as a gap between doses gives the body a chance to rest and metabolize the paracetamol, which puts a strain on the liver and can cause liver damage. Therefore, patients should never exceed 4000mg of paracetamol in a 24-hour period.

Risks and side effects

Paracetamol is often found in other medications, so when taking co-codamol alongside other products, you must be careful not to exceed the maximum daily amount of paracetamol. Check the ingredients on all your medications and add up the total amount of paracetamol to ensure it doesn’t exceed 4,000 mg. Because of this cumulative effect, it may not always be safe to take co-codamol with other medications that contain paracetamol. However, it is safe to take with other painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin.

When codeine is metabolized by the body, morphine is released. However, 13% of the population is not able to metabolize it, which means it won’t have any effect. While codeine is not as addictive as many other opioids, it can still lead to increased tolerance, dependence and substance abuse.

Common side effects of co-codamol include headaches, constipation, drowsiness, and vomiting. Some people have also reported skin rashes, dizziness, trouble urinating and changes in eyesight. It is recommended that you seek medical attention if you experience these symptoms.

An overdose of co-codamol can cause drowsiness, nausea, dizziness and sometimes difficulty breathing. If a very large amount is taken, it can even lead to unconsciousness.

In extremely rare cases, co-codamol can cause severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. Symptoms include:

• Wheezing
• Tight chest and throat and difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the mouth, face lips, tongue, and throat
• Red, itchy rash 
• Swollen, blistered skin

If you experience any of the above symptoms after taking co-codamol, you must seek medical attention immediately.