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The Pharmaceutical JournalVol 264 No 7069 p461
March 25, 2000 Clinical

Advice to patients (38) Co-codamol tablets (8/500 and 30/500)

1. Co-codamol tablets contain two pain killers: paracetamol and codeine.
2. The usual adult dose is one to two tablets every four to six hours as needed for pain. It is important that you do not take more than two tablets at any one time and that you do not take more than eight tablets in 24 hours.
3. You should not take any other medicines that have paracetamol in them while taking co-codamol. Paracetamol is often included in cold and 'flu remedies and other medicines that you can buy. If you are unsure whether another medicine can be taken with co-codamol, please ask me.
4. These tablets occasionally cause drowsiness. Do not drive if you feel sleepy. Alcohol can make the drowsiness worse and is best avoided.
5. Other side effects that co-codamol can cause include constipation and nausea. If you have any problems tell me or your doctor.


This series of "advice tips" on commonly used drugs is written by pharmacists from the Sussex Pharmacy Academic Practice Unit. It is intended as a reminder of points to be made by pharmacists as they hand out dispensed medicines. The list is not intended to be comprehensive but to cover some important points.
By Carina and Duncan Livingstone

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