Co-codamol 500 mg

🔹 Co-codamol 500 mg

Co-codamol is a combination painkiller made of:

• Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) + Codeine (opioid painkiller)
• The “500 mg” refers to paracetamol 500 mg
• Usually combined with:
  • Codeine 8 mg / 15 mg / 30 mg

👉 So common strengths are:

• 500/8 mg
• 500/15 mg
• 500/30 mg

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🔹 What it is used for

Doctors recommend it for moderate pain, such as:

• 🤕 Headache / migraine
• 🦷 Toothache
• 💪 Muscle pain
• 🦴 Joint pain
• 🩹 Injury pain
• 🩺 Post-surgery pain

👉 Used when simple paracetamol alone is not strong enough.

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🔹 How it works

• Paracetamol: reduces pain & fever
• Codeine: acts on brain opioid receptors → reduces pain feeling

👉 Together → stronger pain relief

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🔹 Dosage (IMPORTANT ⚠️)

• Usually 1–2 tablets every 4–6 hours if needed
• Maximum: 8 tablets per day (for 500 mg tablets)

👉 Do NOT exceed:

• 4000 mg paracetamol/day (liver damage risk)

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🔹 Common side effects

• 😴 Drowsiness
• 🤢 Nausea / vomiting
• 😵 Dizziness
• 🚽 Constipation (very common due to codeine)

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🔴 Serious risks

• ⚠️ Addiction / dependence (due to codeine)
• ⚠️ Breathing problems (high doses)
• ⚠️ Liver damage (if overdose of paracetamol)
• ⚠️ Withdrawal symptoms (long-term use)

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🚫 Warnings

Avoid or be careful if:

• You drink alcohol ❌
• You take other paracetamol-containing medicines
• You use sedatives (like alprazolam, lorazepam, zopiclone)
• You have liver disease

👉 Mixing with alcohol or sedatives can be dangerous.