Codeine or co codamol ?????Why such a difference

[ayabrea38]

I have been taking co codamol 30/500 for a few years.As I was concerned about the ammoubt of paracetamol I was taking I asked my GP to change me to just codeine.WOW After taking co cods for so long I was not expecting any difference as to my understanding they where basically the same but I had to ask to be changed back to co cods as things where not the same.I had trouble going the loo(nos 1 and 2 by the way)I was cranky,depressed but worst of all the pain relief was less.
Why is this?
I only spoke to my GP on the phone to get things changed back and forgot to ask this
Any ideas?

[Mamyalynne]

TT co codamol is not banned I am prescribed them but find 30/500 too strong so sometimes (not regularly) take 8/500, they don`t bung me up and do the job when needed.

[Mamyalynne]

You may be thinking of Co-Proxamol which has been withdrawn.

[Buenchico]

Codeine solely works to block pain, rather than dealing with the cause of it.

Paracetamol primarily works in much the same way but it also acts to reduce inflammation, which frequently lies at the root of the pain. If it's the anti-inflammatory property that you were missing when you came off co-codamol, it might be worth speaking to your doctor again. (Even good old-fashioned aspirin is a better anti-inflammatory than codeine but there are more modern alternatives available).

Chris

[Sqad]

Codeine is just that......codeine....an analgesic....relieves pain.

Co -Codamol is codeine+pararcetamol...........two analgesics...........relieves pain.

Co-Codamol is stronger.

[carlton23]

Now we are on the subject, what about `Solpadol` and `Lodine(Etodolac)` are they sronger than previously mentioned pain killers.

[rowanwitch]

If you've been taking them for a few years and it is for a chronic condition it might be worth asking for a referral to a specialist pain clinic as there are lots of new treatments out there

[carlton23]

Looking at the times all you people are up, when do you sleep, or are you all working nights and wasting bosses time on here?lol

[woofgang]

been looking it up and it says that paracetamol is not an anti-inflammatory?

[LazyGun]

Solpadol is just a proprietary name for a co-codamol preparation ( paracetamol + codeine phosphate.)

Etodolac is a NSAID and its mode of action is to tackle inflammation, so not strictly a painkiller.

[carlton23]

Thanks A

[LoftyLottie]

Cocodamol don't relieve any pain for me they just make me hallucinate really badly. Even codeine give me violent nightmares. Can't have any products with codeine in which makes pain relief really difficult :o(

[Greedyfly]

Co-codamol is still very much available and as a seasoned painkiller taker I can tell you they are not the best asdie from Morphine. Ayabrea38 you are lucky you can take codiene or co-codamol - both make me very sick, like Loftylottie I struggle to get painkillers that work. It sounds like with you being on one painkiller for a long time then to change suddenly you were suffering from some withdrawal?! Been there, its no fun at all.

[NoMercy]

Can't someone taking a codeine and para combo also take ibuprofen or another NSAID at the same time?

[Eve]

It is fantastic stuff though I'm careful not to overdo it or get intp taking it regularly as it's habit forming.

Codeine can have a bunging up effect. I've taken it before to stop diarrhoeah and help pain at the same time. It's why the doctor gave it to me.

[LazyGun]

NoM - yes, NSAID plus painkiller often recommended as a combination therapy - ie cocodamol + ibuprofen, but obviously only useful to take such a combination therapy if it is felt that the pain is derived from an inflammatory process.
Disclaimer - before taking combination therapy, consult your GP or your pharmacist.

[LoftyLottie]

Have now been told to come off my painkillers for arthritis (anti inflammatories) as they are giving me dreadful IBS. I am stuck with just paracetamol at the moment!!

[Greedyfly]

Sorry to here that Lottie - can't imagine Paracetamol being complete pain relief. I am currently on Tramadol for joint pain - due to a bad break, they are the only pain killer that work for me and do not make me very ill.

[LoftyLottie]

GP has told me that I am of a group of people that reacts badly to any narcotics Greedyfly! I have just had a series of ultra sound treatments on my back which has given me tremendous relief.

[Greedyfly]

I broke my ankle over 15 months ago and started with the Tramadol then... I choose to take a break from them in July as I found they are quite habit forming. But I have just had surgery again on said ankle so had to start again. You can't win sometimes! Ultrasound sounds good...