cocodamol is a painkiller that contains two medicines: codeine phosphate and paracetamol. It is used to treat moderate pain caused by headaches, migraines, toothache, period pain and rheumatic pain when other painkillers don’t work.
It works by actively inhibiting the pain receptors in your central nervous system (especially in your brain) and blocking them from sending pain messages to the rest of your body, so you don’t feel pain. It also slows down your digestion, which can cause constipation if taken for long periods. Paracetamol controls pain by interfering with substances in your body that make nerves ‘feel’ pain, and by mimicking natural painkillers called endorphins.
The Effect of Co-Codamol on Blood Pressure
Take this medicine by mouth as directed by your doctor. Do not break or chew the tablet. If you are using the soluble tablet (effervescent or dispersible) form, measure out your dose with a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon as you may not get the correct dose. If it makes you sick/vomit, do not drive or operate machinery until the feelings of sickness have passed. You should not take this medicine if you are taking anti-sickness medications or have severe stomach/bowel problems such as ulcers, colitis or Crohn’s disease.
You may develop a tolerance to this medication and need a higher dose to get the same effect. This is known as opiate addiction and it’s important to seek help if you become addicted. Long term misuse of co-codamol or any other codeine based drug can lead to liver and kidney damage, life-threatening respiratory depression, brain and eye damage and long lasting health issues.