Composition
Tab 15 mg/500 mg: Codeine 15 mg, paracetamol 500 mg. Tab 30 mg/500 mg: Codeine 30 mg, paracetamol 500 mg. Tab 8 mg/500 mg: Codeine 8 mg, paracetamol 500 mg. Tab 10 mg/500 mg: Codeine 10 mg, p
Indications & Dosage
Mild to moderate pain: Adult: 8/500-16/1000 mg every 4-6 hours as required; max. 64/4000 mg per day; alternatively, 15/500-30/1000 mg every 4-6 hours as required; max. 120/4000 mg per day. Severe pain (using co-codamol 30/500 preparations only): Adult: 30/500-60/1000 mg every 4-6 hours as required; max. 240/4000 mg per day.
Contraindications
Acute ulcerative colitis, abdominal distention, conditions where inhibition of peristalsis should be avoided, known ultra-rapid codeine metabolisers, respiratory depression, obstructed airways, acute alcoholism, head injury, raised intra cranial pressure, biliary tract surgery.
Precautions
Cardiac arrhythmias, chronic alcoholism, chronic dehydration, chronic malnutrition, convulsive disorders, gallstones, hepatocellular insufficiency, hypothyroidism, renal or hepatic impairment, BPH, inflammatory or obstructive bowel disease, elderly, labour, sodium restricted diets.
Interactions
MAOIs or CNS depressants.
Pregnancy
Risk of respiratory depression and withdrawal symptoms in the neonate, risk of gastric stasis and inhalation pneumonia in the mother if opioid analgesics are used during labour and delivery
Lactation
Not recommended
Side Effects
Abdominal pain, anorexia, blood disorders, depression, hypothermia, leucopenia, malaise, muscle fasciculation, neutropenia, pancreatitis, seizures, thrombocytopenia, dependence, constipation, nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, sedation, blurred vision, confusion, urinary retention.