Experiences with
Co-codaprin

About co-codaprin

Co-codaprin is a mixture of 2 different painkillers: aspirin and codeine.

It's used to treat aches and pains, including headaches, muscular pain, migraine and toothache. It can also be used to treat the symptoms of colds and flu.

Aspirin belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Codeine belongs to a group of medicines called opiates. It affects pain receptors in the central nervous system and the brain to block pain signals to the rest of the body.

It's usually taken when everyday painkillers, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin alone, have not worked.

This medicine comes as tablets. It's available on prescription. Co-codaprin is available without a prescription, but only from a pharmacy.

Who can and cannot take co-codaprin

Most people aged 16 years old and over can safely take co-codaprin. But co-codaprin is not suitable for some people. 

There's a possible link between the aspirin in co-codaprin and Reye's syndrome in children. Reye's syndrome is a very rare condition that can cause serious liver and brain damage.

Do not give co-codaprin to anyone aged 18 years or under who has had their tonsils or adenoids taken out to treat obstructive sleep apnoea.

Never give co-codaprin to children younger than 16 years old, unless their doctor prescribes it.

To make sure co-codaprin is safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:

have ever had an allergy to aspirin or codeine (or similar painkillers such as ibuprofen and morphine)
have surgery planned – you'll need to stop taking aspirin several days before you have surgery (including dental surgery)
have ever had a blood clotting problem
have ever had a stomach ulcer
have indigestion
have recently had a stroke, although it depends on the kind of stroke you have had (your doctor may recommend that you take low-dose aspirin to prevent another one)
have low blood pressure (hypotension) or high blood pressure (hypertension)
have asthma or lung disease
have liver or kidney problems
have gout – it can get worse for some people who take aspirin
get heavy periods – they can get heavier with aspirin
have a head injury or a condition that causes seizures or fits
have adrenal gland problems or an underactive thyroid gland
have an addiction to alcohol or drugs
have gallstones
have an enlarged prostate
have myasthenia gravis (a rare condition that causes muscle weakness)
have symptoms of ulcerative colitis (a bowel condition)
have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or want to breastfeed

How and when to take co-codaprin

Follow the instructions that come with your medicine. This is particularly important because the codeine in co-codaprin can be addictive.

Dosage and strength

The strength of co-codaprin appears as 2 numbers on the packet, for example, as 8/400. This means it contains 8mg of codeine and 400mg of aspirin.

The usual dose for adults (over the age of 18) is 1 or 2 co-codaprin tablets, up to 4 times in 24 hours.

Always leave at least 4 hours between doses.

The maximum dose is 8 tablets in 24 hours.

The usual dose for teenagers aged 16 to 18 years old is the same. They should not have co-codaprin, however, if they have had their tonsils or adenoids taken out to treat obstructive sleep apnoea.

Do not take more than 8 co-codaprin tablets in 24 hours.

Swallow co-codaprin tablets whole with a drink of water. It's best to take them with or just after food.

How long to take it for

If you have bought co-codaprin from a pharmacy, do not use it for more than 3 days. If you still have pain, talk to your pharmacist or doctor. It's important to ask them for advice about ongoing pain relief.

If your doctor has prescribed co-codaprin for you, follow their advice carefully.

If you take too much

If you take 1 or 2 extra tablets of co-codaprin on a single occasion, it's unlikely to be harmful.

If this happens, wait at least 24 hours before you take any more. Taking more than this can be dangerous.

If you have taken too much co-codaprin by mistake, you may feel very sleepy, sick or dizzy. You may also find it difficult to breathe.

In serious cases, you can become unconscious and may need emergency treatment in hospital.

you take more than your usual dose of co-codaprin and feel sleepy, sick or dizzy

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111

you take too much co-codaprin and have difficulty breathing

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring the co-codaprin packet or leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines you take.

Taking co-codaprin with other painkillers

It's safe to take co-codaprin with paracetamol.

Do not take co-codaprin with any other medicines that contain codeine.

Also do not take it with any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen. If you take NSAIDs together, it may increase the chance of you getting side effects like stomach ache or bleeding.

These painkillers are often included in medicines you can buy from pharmacies. For example, Nurofen or Nurofen Plus, or cough and cold remedies such as Nurofen Cold & Flu or Beechams Powders.

Before taking any other medicines, check the label to see if they contain codeine, aspirin, ibuprofen or other NSAIDs.

Side effects

Like all medicines, co-codaprin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Many people have no side effects or only minor ones.

Common side effects

These side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people. Tell your doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away:

mild indigestion
feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
constipation
feeling sleepy
bleeding more easily than normal – because aspirin thins your blood, it can sometimes make you bleed more easily (for example, you may get nosebleeds, bruise more easily and, if you cut yourself, the bleeding may take longer than normal to stop)
dizziness and vertigo (a sensation of spinning)
headaches

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 100 people.

Contact a doctor straight away if you have:

a change in your normal heart rate (slower or faster) and you feel dizzy or very tired – these can be signs of a heart problem
a fit or seizure
difficulty breathing or short, shallow breathing
stiffness in your muscles
feeling faint when you stand up or sit quickly – this can be a sign of low blood pressure
coughing up blood or blood in your pee, poo or vomit
dark pee or the whites of your eyes turn yellow – this can be a sign of liver problems
painful joints in your hands and feet – this can be a sign of high levels of uric acid in the blood
swollen hands or feet – this can be a sign of a build-up of fluid in your body

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to co-codaprin.

OLD Meds - Serious allergic reaction immediate care card (standard)

If you've bought co-codaprin from a pharmacy, do not use it for more than 3 days. If your pain has not gone away, talk to a pharmacist or doctor.

If you need to take co-codaprin for a long time, your body can become tolerant to the codeine in it. That means you need higher doses to control your pain over time.

Some people can become more sensitive to pain (hyperalgesia). If this happens, your doctor will reduce your dose gradually to help these symptoms.

It's possible to become addicted to the codeine in co-codaprin. For this reason, your dose will be reviewed to make sure you're only taking the amount you need to control your pain.

Your treatment plan may include details of how and when you'll stop taking co-codaprin.

If you're having treatment for cancer pain or other severe pain, your pain control will be carefully monitored. Speak to your doctor if you're worried about tolerance, hyperalgesia or becoming addicted.

Other side effects

These are not all the side effects of co-codaprin. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

How to cope with side effects of co-codaprin

What to do about:

mild indigestion – take your co-codaprin with food or just after a meal. If the indigestion still does not go away, it could be a sign that the co-codaprin has caused a stomach ulcer. Talk to your doctor, as they may prescribe something to protect your stomach or switch you to a different medicine.
feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting) – take co-codaprin with or just after a meal or snack. Feelings of sickness should normally wear off after a few days. Talk to your doctor about taking an anti-sickness medicine if it carries on for longer.
constipation – get more fibre into your diet, such as fresh fruit and vegetables and cereals. Try to drink several glasses of water or another non-alcoholic liquid each day. If you can, it may also help to increase your level of exercise.
feeling sleepy or tired – do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery if you're feeling this way. Do not drink any alcohol, as this will make you feel more tired.
bleeding more easily than normal – be careful when doing activities that may cause an injury or a cut as it may take longer than usual for any bleeding to stop.
dizziness and vertigo – if you feel dizzy or unsteady, stop what you're doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery if you're feeling dizzy. Do not drink alcohol, as it will make you feel worse.
headaches – make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. It's best not to drink too much alcohol. Talk to your doctor if the headaches last longer than a week or are severe.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Co-codaprin is not recommended during pregnancy. There are safer medicines you can take. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

For most women, paracetamol is the best painkiller to take in pregnancy.

Co-codaprin and breastfeeding

Co-codaprin is not recommended while breastfeeding.

For most women it's better to take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain or a high temperature while you're breastfeeding.

OLD Meds - Pregnancy non-urgent care card

Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines can affect the way co-codaprin works. And co-codaprin can affect the way some medicines work.

Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medicines, especially:

medicines that help to prevent blood clots such as warfarin and clopidogrel
medicines for pain and swelling (inflammation), such as ibuprofen and naproxen
sleeping pills, antidepressants or lithium (a medicine for mental health problems)
medicines to stop you feeling or being sick, such as domperidone or metoclopramide
medicines to treat infection, particularly rifampicin and ciprofloxacin
epilepsy medicines
medicines to prevent organ rejection after transplant, such as ciclosporin and tacrolimus
steroids, such as prednisolone
medicines to treat high blood pressure, such as ramipril
diuretics (medicines to make you pee more), such as bendroflumethiazide and furosemide
digoxin, a medicine for heart problems
acetazolamide, for an eye problem called glaucoma
methotrexate, a medicine used to calm your immune system and treat some types of cancer
diabetes medicines, such as gliclazide
antihistamines that make you feel drowsy, like chlorphenamine