co codamol uk is a combination of paracetamol and codeine, and it’s used to treat pain such as headaches, migraines, muscular pain and toothache. However, it can be dangerous if not taken properly and people can become addicted to the codeine in this type of medicine if they take high doses for long periods of time.
A small risk exists that taking high doses of this medicine for a long time may temporarily reduce fertility in men and women, because the codeine blocks the body’s production of certain sex hormones. This can make it harder for people to conceive, so this is why it’s important to seek help if you think you or someone you know might have a problem with co-codamol addiction.
It’s not usually recommended to take high-dose co-codamol for more than three days – and only if your doctor prescribes it for you. It’s also not safe to take if you have any of the following:
The Importance of Proper Co-Codamol Storage
You should not drink alcohol while you’re taking this medicine. If you do, the amount of codeine in your body will increase and it can cause serious side effects, such as breathing difficulties, heart problems or fits. Some recreational drugs, such as cannabis and heroin, can also increase common codeine side effects, such as sleepiness and dizziness. If you feel sleepy or dizzy, do not drive a car or ride a bike or use tools or machinery. This is particularly important if you’re also taking other medicines that slow your reaction times, such as drowsiness or antidepressants like clonazepam, phenelzine, moclobemide or tranylcypromine (see ‘other medicines and co-codamol’). It’s not normally recommended to take this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as it gets into breast milk and can cause breathing problems in the baby.