What is Co-Codamol?

Co-codamol is a combination of two painkillers – paracetamol and codeine. It is available as tablets, capsules or soluble tablets (effervescent or dispersible) that dissolve in water. The strength of co-codamol is shown as 2 numbers on the packet – for example, 8/500 means that each tablet or capsule contains 8mg of codeine and 500mg of paracetamol. You can buy co-codamol without a prescription at the lowest strength (8/500) but higher strengths (15/500 and 30/500) are only available on prescription from your doctor.

If your child has a high dose of co-codamol where to buy or has been taking it for a long time, they may get side effects such as constipation (which can be helped by giving plenty of high fibre foods and drinks like fruit and vegetables and drinking lots of water) or a severe reaction such as an allergic reaction. It’s important that they tell their care team if these symptoms occur.

Co-Codamol and Muscle Pain: A Comprehensive Guide

Codeine belongs to a group of medicines called opioids, which block pain signals from reaching the brain. They also slow down the digestion of food, which can lead to constipation. Paracetamol works in a different way – it stops nerves from detecting pain and helps to reduce fever.

You should not take recreational drugs such as cannabis or heroin while you are taking prescribed co-codamol, as this makes you more likely to experience the serious side effects of the codeine in co-codamol, such as breathing difficulties, a slow heart rate or going into a coma. This is because they interact with the same receptors in the brain that codeine affects.