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Just a few questions from our Pharmacist before you checkout to make sure this medicine is safe for you.
Product & Safety Notice
Buy co-codamol 8/500 tablets
Co-codamol is a painkiller used to temporarily relieve pain when other options, like ibuprofen or paracetamol, haven’t worked. It’s typically used to treat headaches, migraines, toothache, and period pains.
How co-codamol 8/500 tablets work
Co-codamol is made up of two ingredients: codeine and paracetamol. When you buy co-codamol 8/500 tablets, it means that each pill contains 8mg codeine and 500mg paracetamol.
Since co-codamol contains two forms of pain relief, it works to ease your discomfort in two different ways.
Codeine is an opioid and works directly on the central nervous system and the brain to block pain signals to the rest of the body.
Paracetamol, meanwhile, blocks the chemical messengers in the brain that tell your body you have pain. It also helps to reduce a fever by doing the same thing to the messengers that control body temperature.
How long does co-codamol take to work?
It usually takes up to an hour for co-codamol to start working. It should then keep working for around five hours
How to take co-codamol
Always take co-codamol 8/500 tablets exactly as described in the patient information leaflet, or as your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist has recommended.
Co-codamol tablets should be taken whole, with water. The number of tablets you can take in a day depends on your age:
- Children aged 12-15 years old: one tablet should be taken every six hours, as required . Do not take more than four tablets in 24 hours.
- Children aged 16-18 years old: 1-2 tablets should be taken every six hours. Do not take more than eight tablets in 24 hours.
- Adults: two tablets should be taken every 4-6 hours, as required. Do not take more than eight tablets in 24 hours.
- Co-codamol should only be used for three days at a time. You should speak to your GP if the pain you’re experiencing makes you feel like you need to take it for longer than three days in a row.
Do not take paracetamol, or other medicines that contain paracetamol, alongside co-codamol. You should also avoid drinking alcohol while taking the medication.
Co-codamol side effects
Like all medicines, co-codamol 8/500 tablets may cause side effects in some people. Common side effects include:
- constipation
- feeling sick or being sick
- dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness or confusion
- difficulty passing water
- getting more infections than usual
- bruising more easily than usual
- becoming dependent on codeine
If you experience any side effects not included in the patient information leaflet, you can report them using the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.
When to avoid co-codamol
You should not take co-codamol if you:
- are under the age of 12
- are allergic to any of the ingredients
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- know that you very rapidly metabolise codeine into morphine
If you are taking or have recently taken any medication, including medication obtained without a prescription, talk to your GP or pharmacist before taking co-codamol.
You can find out more in the patient information leaflet.
Helpful advice on medication restrictions and addiction
For further information on our medication restrictions policy, please click here.
If you are concerned about addiction to 'over the counter' medication, we urge you to visit the below links for professional help and advice:
NHS Help & Advice on Drug Addiction
Talk To Frank - Drug Addiction Help & Support
Frequently asked questions about co-codamol
Can you buy co-codamol over the counter?
Yes, you can buy co-codamol 8/500 over the counter and online. It doesn’t require a prescription.
Can you take co-codamol with ibuprofen?
Yes, it is safe to take co-codamol with ibuprofen, and aspirin.
Can you take co-codamol with paracetamol?
No, you shouldn’t take co-codamol with paracetamol. This is because, since co-codamol already contains paracetamol, you could put yourself at risk of a paracetamol overdose.
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This is when you might consider picking up another painkiller to try to kick that pain to the curb. But how do you know if this is safe? Can you take more than one painkiller at once?
If you’ve ever looked into your medicine cabinet and asked yourself one of these questions then you’ve come to the right place.
Everything You Need to Know About Codeine
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Today we’re going to take a good look at codeine and answer all of the questions you’ve been asking about this medication and what it can do.
What is Sciatic Nerve Pain and How Can I Relieve It?
Sciatica can be a real pain in the butt – and I mean that literally!
If you’ve got a pain that runs from your lower back, to your bottom, and down to your legs and feet, then you could be suffering with sciatica.
So, let’s take a look at this condition, what makes it such a pain, and what you can do to make yourself more comfortable as you heal.
