Co-codamol

[Smowball]

My doctor prescribed these when I really hurt my back. He said to take every 4 hours but they are strong so I would just take them in the eve after work. When they ran out, which was ages after they should have, he would repeat the prescription. They seemed to be the only thing that helped.

Ive decided to change doctors and went for initial health check with the nurse, before I se him. She looked at what I wrote for medication and told me that they do not and will not give co-codamol, its too strong. So, Q is why was old doc quite happy to give it and what can I substitute it with from chemist as cannot be prescribed anything till I have had blood tests done etc. TIA

[shoota]

You can get para-codol from the chemist which is pretty much the same - I think.

[jackthehat]

Prescription Co-codamol is usually 30/500 (30 being the codeine component; the 500 being Paracetemol).
You can purchase 8/500 from Pharmacies. They are, obviously, a lower strength than the prescription.
Presently, they cost £1.02 for 32 in Morrisons. :o)

[SMP]

You were probably given 30/500 co-codamol (30mg codeine, 500mg paracetamol per tablet). These are very strong, I had them when I broke my shoulder and they made me very woozy. The over the counter ones only have 8mg of codeine. I am surprised your GP continually prescribed these, as they carry warnings that they can be addictive.

[Smowball]

Yes they were 30/500, I have just looked at an old box but I had no idea they were so strong compared to others! The old doctor even asked to see me after the first prescription - he just kept repeating it.

[Eve]

Maybe they are just being careful as they have opiates and can be habit forming. I get prescribed co-dydramol and my GP gives me 100 at a time.

I remember being on what I think was co-proximol years ago when I first started getting pains they said were fibrocytis. Great stuff but don't think they are prescribed anymore.

[wiggal]

I had the 30/500 mg co codomal at the beginning of the year and was on 8 a day, 2 every 4 hours along with 3 x 2 ibuprofen In between. I was out of it most of the time but I did have 2 broken ribs so was quite pleased to be. Still have loads left as went to the drs after a week and asked to have them changed due to wanting to go back to work and the side effects of them. Never again will I take them for that long again as the bit on the box that says it stops you going to the loo was no joke!

[rowanwitch]

You can but co codamol 8mg codeine 500mg paracetamol over the counter the stronger version 30mg codeine 500mg of paracetamol are prescription only. I suspect they were the ones you had before.

Don't forget you can't take two tabs 4 hourly all day and night only a maximum of 8 tabs in 24 hours

[Eve]

With a malabsorption condition, that kind of side effect is a bit of a bonus for me Wiggal :)

[starone]

I have these for the pain of osteoarthritis. I try to avoid taking them because of the addiction warning so only take one at night to get to sleep. Occasionally I have to get up during the night and take another one, but I try to keep it to a minimum. Sometimes when the pain is bad I have no option, but I think it best to keep off all painkillers if you can. You can get used to them and take more and more.

[mike11111]

I had co-proxamol (trade name Distalgesic) for many years. Doctors stopped prescribing them after Dr David Kelly, the government adviser re the Iraq weapons of mass destruction carry on, committed suicide with them a few years back. Pointless in my view as many other drugs on prescription can be used to such ends. It's a case of the many having to suffer the consequences of the actions of a few.

[jno]

mike, lots of countries are having doubts about co-proxamol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coproxamol

[Smowball]

God, thank god I didnt take them every 4 hours as suggested!!

[tinkerbell23]

Had 30/500 for when i fell and hurt my elbow...i was out my head for days and sleepy!!
I took senakot too though!

Took one few weeks ago after dental work and felt really ill. Will avoid in future i think. They are really strong, but surley your GP will decide on what to give you to ensure you dont suffer. Remember you can also take ibuprofen ontop of cocodamol should you get the 8/500 ones xxx

[Bacofoil]

@Mike1111 - That is not the reason that co-proximal were discontinued. They were discontinued due to a hideous side effect profile. Co-proxamol were generally used in the elderly and, quite often, caused hallucinations. This led to thousands of people being wrongly diagnosed with Alzheimers. I'm sure you can imagine the hurt and pain that this caused both the patients and their families!!
It is now only available as a special import for very, very few patients.

As for Snowball, there really is no over the counter substitute for co-codamol 30/500. Also, be aware that community pharmacies are only able to sell opiate based pain killers that are licensed for 3 days use at a time. If you presented too often to buy co-codamol then the pharmacist would challenge you about it.

I'm quite interested to see that it was a nurse that said the surgery would not continue your prescription. While I have utmost respect for nurses, indeed some of my favourite colleagues and best friends are nurses, it is the Doctors (and yours of course) decision on how your pain is treated!

Anyway, I hope this helps :)

(Registered pharmacy technician)