Description

What Is Co-dydramol 10/500mg?

Co-dydramol 10/500mg is an opioid painkiller used to relieve mild to moderate pain. The dihydrocodeine works on the central nervous system to reduce the pain signals and the paracetamol provides additional pain relief. So doctors can prescribe this combo if easier painkillers haven’t done the trick.

The 10/500mg strength is a prescription only medicine in the UK. It should therefore only be used when considered appropriate by a healthcare professional.

What Is Co-dydramol Used For?

Your doctor or chemist may prescribe co-dydramol for other types of pain. These can include headache, muscle pain, joint pain, toothache, and other aches and pains.

But the medicine is not for everyone. Your doctor or chemist can consider your symptoms, medical history and any other medicines you are taking before suggesting a treatment.

What Does Co-dydramol Do?

Co-dydramol contains two active ingredients which work in different ways. Paracetamol helps to reduce pain signals, while dihydrocodeine acts on the brain and central nervous system to reduce the feeling of pain. This combination can therefore offer better pain relief than either ingredient alone.

Dosing Information

Always follow the advice you have been given by your doctor or chemist. The official product details say adults and children over 16 years of age can be given one or two tablets every four to six hours as needed, up to a maximum of eight tablets in 24 hours. Younger people have different ceilings.

Most importantly, do not take any other paracetamol-containing medicines unless your healthcare professional tells you to. ‘Paracetamol overdose can be very dangerous and cause serious liver damage which can be delayed.

Typical Side Effects

Like all medicines, co-dydramol 10/500mg can cause side effects. Typical effects include:

• Constipation
• Nausea and/or emesis
• Drowsiness
• Lightheadedness
• Headache.
• Pain in abdomen

Not everyone feels these effects. If a side effect is severe or does not go away, call your health care professional.

Important Safety Information

Dihydrocodeine is an opioid and can be habit forming so prolonged or regular use can lead to tolerance, dependence or addiction. Therefore, only take co-dydramol for as long as your prescriber has told you to. Do not stop taking regular long-term treatment suddenly without medical advice as withdrawal symptoms can occur.

Co-dydramol can also cause drowsiness or a feeling of dizziness. Do not drive or use machinery if this medicine affects your ability to be alert.

Tell your healthcare professional if you have problems with alcohol use, breathing problems, or liver disease. These may impact on whether co-dydramol is right for you.

FAQs

What does 10/500 mean on co-dydramol?

The numbers show how much of each active ingredient there is. 10/500mg means 10mg of dihydrocodeine and 500mg of paracetamol in each tablet.

Can I take co-dydramol with paracetamol?

Co-dydramol already contains 500mg paracetamol per tablet. Therefore do not take any other medicines containing paracetamol unless your doctor or chemist tells you to.

Is co-dydramol habit forming?

Yes. It contains dihydrocodeine and can cause dependence or addiction if used regularly or for a long time. Your prescriber’s instructions help to reduce this risk.

Overall

Co-dydramol 10/500mg is a painkiller containing paracetamol and dihydrocodeine. If used correctly, it can help with mild to moderate pain. However, because it contains an opiate and paracetamol, patients should be advised to follow professional medical advice carefully.