Just a few questions from our Pharmacist before you checkout to make sure this medicine is safe for you.
Buy co-codamol 8/500 tablets online
Co-codamol is a painkiller used to temporarily relieve pain when other options, like ibuprofen or paracetamol, haven’t worked. It’s typically used to treat headaches, migraines, toothache, and period pains.
How co-codamol 8/500 tablets work
Co-codamol is made up of two ingredients: codeine and paracetamol. When you buy co-codamol 8/500 tablets, it means that each pill contains 8mg codeine and 500mg paracetamol.
Since co-codamol tablets contain two forms of pain relief, they work to ease your discomfort in two different ways:
- Codeine is an opioid and works directly on the central nervous system and the brain to block pain signals to the rest of the body.
- Paracetamol blocks the chemical messengers in the brain that tell your body you have pain. It also helps to reduce a fever by doing the same thing to the messengers that control body temperature.
How long does co-codamol take to work?
It usually takes up to an hour for co-codamol painkillers to start working. They should then keep working for around five hours.
How to take co-codamol
Always take co-codamol 8/500 tablets exactly as described in the patient information leaflet, or as your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist has recommended.
Co-codamol tablets should be taken whole, with water. The number of tablets you can take in a day depends on your age:
- Children aged 12-15 years old: one tablet should be taken every six hours, as required. Do not take more than four tablets in 24 hours.
- Children aged 16-18 years old: 1-2 tablets should be taken every six hours. Do not take more than eight tablets in 24 hours.
- Adults: two tablets should be taken every 4-6 hours, as required. Do not take more than eight tablets in 24 hours.
- Co-codamol should only be used for three days at a time. You should speak to your GP if the pain you’re experiencing makes you feel like you need to take it for longer than three days in a row.
Do not take paracetamol, or other medicines that contain paracetamol, alongside co-codamol. You should also avoid drinking alcohol while taking the medication.
Co-codamol side effects
Like all medicines, co-codamol 8/500 tablets may cause side effects in some people. Common side effects include:
- constipation
- feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
- dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness or confusion
- difficulty urinating
- getting more infections than usual
- bruising more easily than usual
- becoming dependent on codeine
If you experience any side effects not included in the patient information leaflet, you can report them using the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.
When to avoid co-codamol
You should not take co-codamol tablets if you:
- are under the age of 12
- are allergic to any of the ingredients
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- know that you very rapidly metabolise codeine into morphine
If you are taking or have recently taken any medication, including medication obtained without a prescription, talk to your GP or pharmacist before taking co-codamol.
You can find out more in the patient information leaflet.
Helpful advice on medication restrictions and addiction
For further information on our medication restrictions policy, please click here.
If you are concerned about addiction to 'over the counter' medication, we urge you to visit the below links for professional help and advice:
NHS Help & Advice on Drug Addiction
Talk To Frank - Drug Addiction Help & Support
Frequently asked questions about co-codamol
Can you buy co-codamol over-the-counter?
Yes, you can buy co-codamol 8/500 over-the-counter. It doesn’t require a co-codamol prescription.
Can you buy co-codamol online?
Yes, you can buy co-codamol online through Chemist4U.
Can you take co-codamol tablets with ibuprofen?
Yes, it is safe to take co-codamol with ibuprofen, and aspirin.
Can you take co-codamol with paracetamol?
No, you shouldn’t take co-codamol with paracetamol. This is because, since co-codamol already contains paracetamol, you could put yourself at risk of a paracetamol overdose.
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Advice & Guides
Can I take two painkillers at once?
Sometimes when you take painkillers you find that although they make your headache, backache, or whatever your aches and pains you’re trying to treat a bit better, they don’t quite do the job.
This is when you might consider picking up another painkiller to try to kick that pain to the curb. But how do you know if this is safe? Can you take more than one painkiller at once?
If you’ve ever looked into your medicine cabinet and asked yourself one of these questions then you’ve come to the right place.
