For people who do not react well, or at all, to everyday painkillers like ibuprofen, aspirin, or paracetamol, alternatives have been developed. These drugs are intended to provide more heavy-duty pain relief so that users are better able to function. Unfortunately, this relief can often lead a person to become dependent on a drug, through which abuse of the substance can lead to serious complications depending on what is taken. The combination drug co-codamol is an example of this, and despite proving useful, it can still present risks in its own right. Banyan’s Delaware rehab center asks the question: can you overdose on co-codamol?
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What Is Co-codamol?
This refers to a combination opiate drug made of the substance paracetamol and codeine. (Tylenol), is used to treat mild to moderate pain, as well as fever, and is only available in the UK as opposed to the US. Codeine, on its own, is typically used to treat coughs and pain and is an extremely addictive narcotic. Because of its potential for addiction, codeine is commonly combined with other drugs like ibuprofen or aspirin that are less addictive while still presenting relief to users.
Symptoms this drug is used to treat include:
- Pain after surgery
- Toothache
- Back or ear pain
- Pain related to injury or infection
Co-codamol is typically available as a capsule, pill, or tablet, and can be administered in a variety of doses. The lowest dosage, 8 mg, can be purchased over the counter, while more powerful options like 15 mg and 30 mg require a doctor’s prescription. The latter two options are also recognized as controlled substances. It is crucial to consult your physician before taking a medicine that contains codeine. This will ensure that you take the most appropriate dose for your current condition.
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Is a Co-codamol Overdose Possible?
The presence of codeine makes it possible for a person to overdose after abusing co-codamol. The addictiveness of a patient’s prescription will ultimately depend on the strength, how much a person takes, and how often. While taking one or two extra pills is not likely to be harmful, the ingredients of this drug can cause issues. It is already stated on the drug’s packaging that taking an extra dose of paracetamol, or Acetaminophen, after taking co-codamol is not recommended.1 Additionally, a codeine overdose is particularly dangerous.
Symptoms of a codeine overdose include:
- Blue discoloration of the lips and nails
- Difficulty breathing
- Feelings of confusion or dizziness
- Weak pulse
- Pinpoint pupils
- Clammy skin
- Severe fatigue
- Body twitches
- Stomach or intestinal pain
If you fear that you or a loved one is suffering an overdose after taking co-codamol, call 911 and seek immediate medical attention. Additionally, our detox in Delaware can ensure that any opiate withdrawal symptoms are managed by a staff of compassionate clinical professionals.
Get the Care You Need at Our Milford Rehab
If you are facing the prospect of an overdose, chances are that drug abuse and addiction are what put you in that position. It is also why our Delaware drug rehab offers opioid addiction treatment to help you reclaim your life from this dependency.
Recovery from substance abuse starts with the right support — our residential treatment center in Castle Rock, CO offers residential recovery services to help you or your loved one take that next step.
To learn more about the levels of care we offer, call Banyan Treatment Center Delaware at 888-280-4763 today.
Source:
- org - Co-codamol 8/500 Tablets
Related Reading
Sources
- Dove Medical Press. (2016). Satisfaction, Adherence and Health-Related Quality of Life with Paracetamol and Co-Codamol in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S107989
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Bookshelf. (n.d.). Codeine - StatPearls.
- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. (2019). Single dose oral ibuprofen plus codeine for acute postoperative pain. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010107.pub3
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Codeine (oral route) - Side effects & dosage - Mayo Clinic.
- BMJ Open. (2020). Identification of factors influencing tampering of codeine-containing medicines and extraction of codeine using cold water in the United Kingdom. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038239
- NIH/PubMed Central. (2018). A comparative analysis of pharmacists' perspectives on codeine use and misuse: An international study.
- DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine). (n.d.). ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE solution - DailyMed.
- World Journal of Gastroenterology. (2020). Liver injury induced by paracetamol and challenges associated with the management of paracetamol overdose in Australia. DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i22.3076
- National Library of Medicine (NIH). (n.d.). Codeine overdose: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.
