Co-dydramol is a mixture of 2 different painkillers: paracetamol and dihydrocodeine.

It's used to treat aches and pains, including headaches, migraines, muscular and joint pain, period pain and toothache.

It's usually taken when everyday painkillers alone - such as aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol - haven't worked.

This medicine usually comes as tablets. It's also sometimes available as a liquid that you swallow.

You can buy lower-strength tablets from pharmacies. Higher-strength tablets and liquid are only available on prescription.

• Co-dydramol comes in 4 different strengths. You can buy the lowest strength co-dydramol tablets from pharmacies. Higher strengths are only available on prescription.
• The most common side effects of co-dydramol are constipation, feeling sick and sleepiness.
• If you've bought co-dydramol from a pharmacy, do not use it for more than 3 days without talking to your doctor.
• It's possible to become addicted to the dihydrocodeine in co-dydramol, but this is rare if you're taking it as a painkiller and your treatment is regularly reviewed by your doctor.
• Co-dydramol is also known by the brand names Paramol, Remedeine and Remedeine Forte.

Adults and children aged 12 years and over can take co-dydramol.

Co-dydramol isn't suitable for some people. Tell your doctor before starting the medicine if you:

• have had an allergic reaction to co-dydramol, paracetamol or any other medicine in the past
• have any gastrointestinal problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn's disease
• have lung problems, asthma or breathing difficulties
• have a head injury
• have adrenal gland problems
• have an illness that causes fits (seizures)
• have an underactive thyroid gland
• regularly drink more than the maximum recommended amount of alcohol (14 units a week)
• have liver or kidney problems
• have myasthenia gravis, a rare illness that causes muscle weakness
• are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant or are breastfeeding
• are under 18 years and have had your tonsils or adenoids taken out because of obstructive sleep apnoea

You can take co-dydramol with or without food.

Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water.

If you're taking co-dydramol as a liquid, it will come with a plastic spoon or syringe to help you measure the correct amount. Ask your pharmacist for one if you don't have it. Do not measure the liquid with a kitchen teaspoon because it won't give the right amount.

It's important to leave a gap of at least 4 hours between doses of co-dydramol. Taking too much can be very dangerous because the paracetamol in it can cause liver damage.

Different strengths of co-dydramol

Co-dydramol comes in 4 different strengths. The tablets contain either 7.46mg, 10mg, 20mg or 30mg of dihydrocodeine.

All co-dydramol tablets also contain 500mg of paracetamol - the same as in a standard paracetamol tablet or capsule.

The strength is shown as 2 numbers on the packet. These indicate the amount of dihydrocodeine followed by the amount of paracetamol. So if 10/500 is written on the packet, this means the tablets contains 10mg of dihydrocodeine and 500mg of paracetamol.

You can buy the lowest strength of co-dydramol (7.46/500) without a prescription from a pharmacy. The higher strengths (10/500, 20/500 and 30/500) are only available on prescription.

How much to take

Adults (16 years and older) - 1 to 2 co-dydramol tablets (of any strength) up to 4 times in 24 hours. Always leave at least 4 hours between doses.

Children (12 to 15 years) - 1 tablet up to 4 times in 24 hours. If your child has been prescribed co-dydramol, follow the doctor's instructions. Always leave at least 4 hours between doses.

If you have been prescribed liquid co-dydramol, your doctor will tell you what the correct and maximum dose is.

How long to take it for

If you've bought co-dydramol from a pharmacy, do not take it for more than 3 days. If you still have pain, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

If you are prescribed co-dydramol, take it for as long as your doctor tells you to.

What if I forget to take it?

If you take co-dydramol regularly and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's close to the time for your next dose when you remember then skip the missed dose.

Never take double doses of co-dydramol, and never take extra doses to catch up.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

What if I take too much?

If you take 1 or 2 extra tablets of co-dydramol by accident, it is unlikely to be harmful. If this happens, wait at least 24 hours before you take any more.

The amount of co-dydramol that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person. If you've accidentally taken too much, it can cause side effects such as:

• feeling very sleepy
• feeling sick or dizzy
• difficulty breathing
• becoming unconscious

If you've taken too much and feel sleepy, sick or dizzy, call your doctor.

It's safe to take co-dydramol with ibuprofen and aspirin.

Do not take co-dydramol with paracetamol or other medicines that contain paracetamol. These include painkillers such as Tramacet (paracetamol combined with tramadol) and co-codamol, migraine remedies, and some cough and cold remedies such as Lemsip and Night Nurse.

Co-dydramol already contains paracetamol, so you could be at risk of a paracetamol overdose.

Like all medicines, co-dydramol can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Many people have no side effects or only minor ones. You are more likely to have side effects if you take the higher strengths of co-dydramol.

Common side effects

Common side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people. Tell your doctor if the side effects bother you or don't go away. Common side effects include:

• constipation
• feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
• feeling sleepy
• headaches

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 100 people.

Tell a doctor straight away if you have:

• a skin rash
• difficulty peeing
• changes in your eyesight
• dizziness

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction to co-dydramol.

These aren't all the side effects of co-dydramol. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

What to do about:

• constipation - eat more high-fibre foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, and cereals. Try to drink several glasses of water or another non-alcoholic liquid each day. If you can, try to exercise more regularly - for example, by going for a daily walk or run.
• feeling sick or being sick - try taking co-dydramol with or just after a meal or snack. Feelings of sickness should normally wear off after a few days. Talk to your doctor about taking an anti-sickness medicine if it carries on for longer.
• feeling sleepy - this side effect should go away within a few days as your body gets used to the dihydrocodeine. Don't drive or use tools or machinery if you're feeling this way. Don't drink any alcohol, as this will make you feel more tired. Speak to your doctor if it carries on for longer.
• headaches - make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Don't drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Talk to your doctor if the headaches last longer than a week or are severe.

Co-dydramol is not generally recommended during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. There may be safer medicines that you can take - ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking co-dydramol.

Co-dydramol and breastfeeding

Co-dydramol isn't normally recommended while breastfeeding. This is because it isn't known whether dihydrocodeine can get into breast milk.

If you are prescribed co-dydramol, follow your doctor's instructions. You will usually take it for a short time and at the lowest dose. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist straight away if your baby has any breathing problems.

Some medicines interfere with the way co-dydramol works.

Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start taking co-dydramol:

• sleeping pills or tranquillisers
• antidepressants
• medicines to stop you feeling sick or vomiting, such as domperidone or metoclopramide
• blood-thinning medicines, such as warfarin
• antihistamines
• epilepsy medicines
• antipsychotics
• medicines to treat tuberculosis (TB)
• medicines to treat anxiety

Mixing co-dydramol with herbal remedies and supplements

It's not possible to say that complementary medicines and herbal remedies are safe to take with co-dydramol. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.