PARACETAMOL AND CODEINE CONTAINING MEDICATIONS

MEDICATION PARACETAMOL (per tab) CODEINE (per tab)

Panadol 500mg per tablet None

Panamax, Paracetamol, Adult dose is 1000 (1g)

Febridol, Herron, Paralgin Maximum 4000 (4g) or 8 tablets

Panadol Rapid, Dymadon. per 24 hours.

Panadeine 500mg 8-10mg

Chemist's Own Strong Pain,

Panamax Co, Codalgin,

Codapane, Dymadon Co,

Mersyndol Day Strength,

Febridol Plus.

Panadeine Extra 500mg 15mg

Prodeine

Panadeine Forte 500mg 30mg

NOTE - PRESCRIPTION REQUIRED

Prodeine Forte,

Codalgin Forte,

Dolaforte, Codapane Forte.

Panadol Osteo 665mg None

Panadol Extend Adult dose 2 tabs.

Panadol Back and Neck Part immediate release and

part slow release, to allow

convenient 6-8 hourly dosing.

Maximum 6 per day.

CODEINE

Codeine is for stronger pain, and the dose you need can be adjusted by having a mixture of different strengths available.

Aim for a dose every 4-6 hours, maximum 8 per day of any combination so as not to exceed the maximum dose of paracetamol.

Examples:

Strong pain - maximum dose is 2 Panadeine Forte = 1g paracetamol and 60mg codeine.

As pain settles, reduce the dose of codeine, but continue the adult dose of paracetamol,

Examples - 1 and 1/2 Panadeine Forte and 1/2 Panadol = 1g paracetamol and 45mg codeine

1 Panadeine Forte and 1 Panadeine = 1g paracetamol and 38mg codeine

1 Panadeine Forte and 1 Panadol = 1g paracetamol and 30mg codeine

1/2 Panadeine Forte and 1 and 1/2 Panadol = 1g paracetamol and 15mg codeine

Moderate pain

Examples - 2 Panadeine = 1g paracetamol and 16mg codeine

1 Panadeine and 1 Panadol = 1g paracetamol and 8mg codeine.

Mild pain

2 Panadol as required.

For chronic pain such as osteoarthritis or chronic low back pain, consider Panadol Osteo 2 tabs 6-8 hourly every day.

Should you need to take a stronger analgesic for stronger pain, you must reduce the use of Panadol Osteo by the appropriate amount.

SIDE EFFECTS

The main side effects of codeine are drowsiness, dizziness and constipation. Use the lowest dose suitable for your pain level, and reduce as quickly as possible to limit the side effects. Take extra care of your bowel, and consider early use of a laxative such as Coloxyl and Senna.