Pain? What pain? (Co-codamol tablets)

Member Name: bubblecat

Product:	Co-codamol tablets
Date:	08/12/05 (6902 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent at relieving pain

Disadvantages: Can be highly addictive, makes you very drowsy

If I am in pain for any reason I usually try not to take tablets as they don't really seem to work for me and I hate the feeling of taking tablets. Not to mention the fact that nowadays pain medication, unless on prescription, can be massively expensive.

My first experience of co-codamol was about 5 years ago when I was in a car crash and suffered whiplash. These tablets were a godsend. I was then prescribed them again a year ago after being diagnosed with Crohn's disease, which can involve some extremely painful stomach cramps, which feel like a cross between period pain, severe trapped wind and the feeling you get in your stomach after a very heavy night out drinking. Altogether not pleasant.

So after suffering for a while, having discovered that doctors nowadays aren't very sympathetic, I finally went into the surgery and begged for something to help.

Maybe it was because I had actually been diagnosed with something as well as having various problems in the preceeding year (including having a burst appendix, or maybe it was because the doctor was a hospital doctor re-training as a GP, but he was very sympathetic and immediately prescribed me an 8/500 dose of co-codamol.

Co-codamol is an analgesic and is used to fight pain and fever. It can be beneficial in relieving symptoms of colds/flu, rheumatic pain, neuralgia, sore throat, headache, backache, sprains and strains, toothache and period pain.

Each tablet is made up of 2 pain-killing ingredients, paracetamol and codeine in the corresponding doses of 500mg and 8mg. These are for mild to moderate pain and can also be obtained in a higher strength of 30/500. The 8/500 can be bought over the counter but you will require a prescription in the UK for the stronger dose. Co-codamol is available in capsule, tablet and soluble tablet form, but for the purpose of this review I am providing details of the normal non -soluble tablet, which are usually round, about the size of a 20p and 2 mm thick.

Usually you would be told to take 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours, but no more than that and never more than 2 at a time.

From personal experience I wouldn't even take that much unless you were comfortably ensconced on your sofa or in bed and were in quite a bit of pain. If you have a mild headache adn insist on taking this medicine, take ONE and do not drive or operate machinery as they can make you extremely light headed and drowsy.
For more severe pain you will notice a great reduction in the level of pain and a nice light headed effect.

As with all medicines, there are some things you should bear in mind before taking this:

Make sure your doctor knows if you:

Are pregnant, breast feeding or trying to become pregnant

Suffer from liver, kidney or breathing problems

Drink a lot of alcohol

Suffer from low blood pressure, prostate or thyroid problems

Suffer from bowel or stomach problems

Suffer from Addison's disease

Have suffered a head injury recently

If you are taking ANY other medicines, including herbal remedies

If you have ever had an allergic reaction to ANY medicine

Side effects:

All medicines carry warnings about possible side effects. In the case of Co-codamol these can include -

Nausea

Drowsiness

Dizziness

Constipation

Rash

Dry Mouth

Blurred Vision

Do not take Co-codamol with any other paracetamol or codeine containing medicines such as cold/flu remedies as overdose can lead to liver damage.

Another thing to bear in mind is that Co-codamol can be very addictive. If you buy this over the counter and need to take it for more than 3 cosecutive days, you must contact your GP.
If it is prescribed, your GP must re-evaluate your condition in order to prevent addiction. Stopping taking these tablets after a prolonged amount of time can cause withdrawal symptoms such as irritability and insomnia,as well as further pain which prompts your body to continue needing the medicine.

All in all, a very effective method of pain relief but use responsibly and at the direction of your doctor/pharmacist.

Summary: Effective pain relief for mild to moderate pain