Tens of millions of doses of co-codamol are taken every year in the UK
The NHS has issued a warning over a common painkiller used by millions of people in the UK every year. Tens of millions of prescriptions for co-codamol are handed out every year, with pharmacists alone handing out 650,000 prescriptions on top of those authorised by GPs.
While a GP will tell you how long you should take the strong painkiller for – and pharmacists will issue similar advice – anyone who has bought co-codamol from a pharmacy has been warned not to take the drug for too long. Low-strength co-codamol is available to buy from a pharmacy without a prescription.
The NHS warning states: “If you’ve bought co-codamol from a pharmacy, do not use it for more than three days. If your pain has not gone away, talk to a pharmacist or doctor. If you need to take co-codamol for a long time, your body can become tolerant to the codeine in it. That means you need higher doses to control your pain over time.
“Some people can become more sensitive to pain (hyperalgesia). If this happens, your doctor will reduce your dose gradually to help these symptoms. It’s possible to become addicted to the codeine in co-codamol. For this reason, your dose will be reviewed to make sure you’re only taking the amount you need to control your pain.
“Your treatment plan may include details of how and when you’ll stop taking co-codamol. If you’re having treatment for cancer pain or other severe pain, your pain control will be carefully monitored. Speak to your doctor if you’re worried about tolerance, hyperalgesia or becoming addicted.”
Co-codamol is restricted or banned in some countries, mainly because it contains codeine, an opioid. Laws vary depending on how codeine is regulated locally.
In the USA, codeine is a controlled substance and co-codamol is not available over the counter. There are similar restrictions in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and some European countries.