Paracetamol & Codeine Capsules (Co-Codamol)

Capsule

This medicine is indicated in patients older than 12 years of age.For the short term treatment of acute moderate pain which is not considered to be relieved by other analgesics (e.g. paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin) alone, such as: headache, migraine, period pain, dental pain, neuralgia, rheumatic and muscular pain and backache.

For oral administration

Adults

One to two capsules, if necessary, three or four times daily at intervals of not less than four hours, up to maximum of eight capsules in 24 hours.

Children aged 16 to 18 years

One or two capsules every 6 hours when necessary up to a maximum of eight capsules in 24 hours.

Children aged 12 to 15 years

One capsule every 6 hours when necessary up to a maximum of four capsules in 24 hours.

Children under 12 years

Codeine should not be used in children below the age of 12 years because of the risk of opioid toxicity due to the variable and unpredictable metabolism of codeine to morphine (see sections 4.3 and 4.4).

Elderly

There is no need for dosage reduction in the elderly.Do not take for more than 3 days continuously without medical review.

Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients. Severe liver disease. In all paediatric patients (0-18 years of age) who undergo tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome due to an increased risk of developing serious and life threatening adverse reactions (see section 4.4). In women during breastfeeding (see section 4.6). In patients for whom it is known they are CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolisers.

Should be taken with caution by patients with impaired kidney or liver function.Do not take more medicine than the label tells you to.If you do not get better, talk to your doctor.Do not give to children under 12 years.Contains paracetamol.Do not take anything else containing paracetamol while taking this medicine.Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

The label will state:

Talk to a doctor at once if you take too much of this medicine, even if you feel well.Front of pack • Can cause addiction • For three days use onlyBack of pack• List of indications as agreed in 4.1 of the SPC• If you need to take this medicine continuously for more than 3 days you should see your doctor or pharmacist• This medicine contains codeine which can cause addiction if you take it continuously for more than 3 days. If you take this medicine for headaches for more than 3 days it can make them worse

The leaflet (or combined label/leaflet) will state:

Talk to a doctor at once if you take too much of this medicine even if you feel well. This is because too much paracetamol can cause delayed, serious liver damage.'Headlines' section (to be prominently displayed)• This medicine can only be used for.....(indications)• You should only take this product for a maximum of 3 days at a time. If you need to take it for longer than 3 days you should see your doctor or pharmacist for advice• This medicine contains codeine which can cause addiction if you take it continuously for more than 3 days. This can give you withdrawal symptoms from the medicine when you stop taking it• If you take this medicine for headaches for more than 3 days it can make them worse“What this medicine is for” section• Succinct description of the indications from 4.1 of the SPC“Before you take this medicine” section• This medicine contains codeine which can cause addiction if you take it continuously for more than 3 days. This can give you withdrawal symptoms from the medicine when you stop taking it• If you take a painkiller for headaches for more than 3 days it can make them worse“How to take this medicine” section• Do not take for more than 3 days. If you need to use this medicine for more than 3 days you must speak to your doctor or pharmacist • This medicine contains codeine and can cause addiction if you take it continuously for more than 3 days. When you stop taking it you may get withdrawal symptoms. You should talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you think you are suffering from withdrawal symptoms“Possible side effects” section

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.go.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.“How do I know if I am addicted?” sectionIf you take the medicine according to the instructions on the pack it is unlikely that you will become addicted to the medicine. However, if the following apply to you it is important that you talk to you doctor:• You need to take the medicine for longer periods of time• You need to take more than the recommended amount• When you stop taking the medicine you feel very unwell but you feel better if you start taking the medicine again

CYP2D6 metabolism

Codeine is metabolised by the liver enzyme CYP2D6 into morphine, its active metabolite. If a patient has a deficiency or is completely lacking this enzyme an adequate analgesic effect will not be obtained. Estimates indicate that up to 7% of the Caucasian population may have this deficiency. However, if the patient is an extensive or ultra-rapid metaboliser there is an increased risk of developing side effects of opioid toxicity even at commonly prescribed doses. These patients convert codeine into morphine rapidly resulting in higher than expected serum morphine levels.General symptoms of opioid toxicity include confusion, somnolence, shallow breathing, small pupils, nausea, vomiting, constipation and lack of appetite. In severe cases this may include symptoms of circulatory and respiratory depression, which may be life threatening and very rarely fatal. Estimates of prevalence of ultra-rapid metabolisers in different populations are summarised below:

Post operative use in children

There have been reports in the published literature that codeine given post-operatively in children after tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy for obstructive sleep apnoea, led to rare, but life threatening adverse events including death (see also section 4.3). All children received doses of codeine that were within the appropriate dose range; however there was evidence that these children were either ultra-rapid or extensive metabolisers in their ability to metabolise codeine to morphine.

Children with compromised respiratory function

Codeine is not recommended for use in children in whom respiratory function might be compromised including neuromuscular disorders, severe cardiac or respiratory conditions, upper respiratory or lung infections, multiple trauma or extensive surgical procedures. These factors may worsen symptoms of morphine toxicity.

Codeine may delay the absorption of mexiletine and thus reduce the antiarrhythmic effect of the latter. The depressant effects of codeine are enhanced by depressants of the central nervous system such as hypnotics, sedatives, tricyclic antidepressants and phenothiazines. Codeine may antagonise the gastrointestinal effects of metoclopramide and domperidone.The speed of absorption of paracetamol may be increased by metoclopramide or domperidone and absorption reduced by cholestyramine.The anticoagulant effect of warfarin and other coumarins may be enhanced by prolonged regular use of paracetamol with increased risk of bleeding: occasional doses have no significant effect.

The safety of this medicine during pregnancy has not been established and in view of the possible association of codeine with respiratory depression and heart malformations, use during this period should be avoided. Codeine should not be used during breastfeeding (see section 4.3).At normal therapeutic doses codeine and its active metabolites may be present in breast milk at very low doses and is unlikely to adversely affect the breast fed infant. However, if the patient is an ultra-rapid metaboliser of CYP2D6, higher levels of the active metabolite, morphine, may be present in breast milk and on very rare occasions may result in symptoms of opioid toxicity in the infant, which may be fatal. Paracetamol is excreted in breast milk but not in a clinically significant amount. Available published data do not contraindicate breast feeding.

A large amount of data on pregnant women indicate neither malformative, nor feto/neonatal toxicity. Epidemiological studies on neurodevelopment in children exposed to paracetamol in utero show inconclusive results. If clinically needed, paracetamol can be used during pregnancy however it should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time and at the lowest possible frequency.

This medicine can impair cognitive function and can affect a patient's ability to drive safely. This class of medicine is in the list of drugs included in regulations under 5a of the Road Traffic Act 1988. When prescribing this medicine, patients should be told:

The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, sweating, skin rashes and other allergic reactions. Very rarely there have been reports of blood dyscrasias including thrombocytopaenia and agranulocytosis, but these were not necessarily causally related to paracetamol.Paracetamol: Very rare cases of serious skin reactions have been reported.Regular prolonged use of codeine is known to lead to addiction and symptoms of restlessness and irritability may result when treatment is then stopped.Prolonged use of a painkiller for headaches can make them worse.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Immediate treatment is essential in the management of paracetamol overdose. Despite a lack of significant early symptoms, patients should be referred to hospital urgently for immediate medical attention and any patient who had ingested around 7.5g or more of paracetamol in the preceding 4 hours should undergo gastric lavage.

Ingestion of lower doses equivalent to 5g or more of paracetamol may lead to liver damage if the patient has risk factors. These include if:

• They are undergoing long-term treatment with drugs that induce liver enzymes

• They regularly consume ethanol in excess of advised amounts

• They are likely to be glutathione deplete e.g. as in cystic fibrosis, eating disorders, HIV infection, starvation, cachexia

Administration of oral methionine or intravenous N-acetylcysteine which may have a beneficial effect up to at least 48 hours after the overdose, may be required.Symptoms of paracetamol overdosage in the first 24 hours include pallor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain. Liver damage may become apparent 12 to 48 hours after ingestion as liver function tests become abnormal. Abnormalities of glucose metabolism and metabolic acidosis may occur. In severe cases, liver failure may lead to encephalopathy, coma and death. Acute renal failure with acute tubular necrosis may develop with or without severe liver damage. Cardiac arrhythmias and pancreatitis have been reported.Liver damage is likely in adults who have taken 10g or more of paracetamol. It is considered that excess quantities of a toxic metabolite (usually adequately detoxified by glutathione when normal doses of paracetamol are ingested), become irreversibly bound to liver tissue.The hazards of overdose are greater in those with alcoholic liver disease.The effects of codeine in overdosage will be potentiated by simultaneous ingestion of alcohol and psychotropic drugs.Symptoms of overdosage include central nervous system depression, including respiratory depression, but is unlikely to be severe unless other sedative agents have been co-ingested, including alcohol, or the overdose is very large. The pupils may be pin-point in size; nausea and vomiting are common. Hypotension and tachycardia are possible but unlikely.Management should include general symptomatic and supportive measures including a clear airway and monitoring of vital signs until stable. Consider activated charcoal if an adult presents within one hour of ingestion of more than 350mg or a child more than 5mg/kg.Give naloxone if coma or respiratory depression is present. Naloxone is a competitive antagonist and has a short half-life so large and repeated doses may be required in a seriously poisoned patient. Observe for at least 4 hours after ingestion.

Paracetamol is an analgesic with antipyretic activity.Codeine is a centrally acting weak analgesic. Codeine exerts its effect through µ opioid receptors, although codeine has low affinity for these receptors, and its analgesic effect is due to its conversion to morphine. Codeine, particularly in combination with other analgesics, has been shown to be effective in acute nociceptive pain.

Paracetamol is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract with peak plasma concentrations occurring about 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion. Paracetamol is metabolised in the liver and excreted in the urine mainly as the glucoronide and sulphate conjugates with about 10% as glutathione conjugates. Less than 5% is excreted as unchanged paracetamol. The elimination half life varies from about 1 to 4 hours. Plasma protein binding is negligible at usual therapeutic concentrations, although this is dose dependent.Codeine phosphate is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and peak plasma concentrations occur after about one hour. Codeine is metabolised by O- and N- demethylation in the liver to morphine and norcodeine. Codeine and its metabolites are excreted almost entirely by the kidney, mainly as conjugates with glucuronic acid. The plasma half life has been reported to be between 3 and 4 hours.

Conventional studies using the currently accepted standards for the evaluation of toxicity to reproduction and development are not available.

Sodium metabisulphiteMagnesium stearateSodium starch glycolateSodium lauryl sulphateGelatineErythrosine (E127)Indigo carmine (E132)Water

None known

18 Months

None

A child-resistant push through pack of opaque 250 micron PVC/40gsm PVdC blisters, heat sealed to 35gsm Glassine paper/9 micron soft temper aluminium foil.Pack size: 8/12/16/24/32

Not applicable.

The Boots Company PLC1 Thane Road WestNottingham NG2 3AA

PL 0014/0325

First authorisation: 5 March 1985Last renewal: 08 February 2000

12^th July 2019