Co-codamol is a strong painkiller that contains two active ingredients, meaning it is a compound analgesic with a dual action. The two Co-codamol active ingredients are called codeine phosphate and paracetamol, with the former being much more potent. Codeine phosphate is an opioid that was discovered by Pierre Jean Robiquet in 1832, and as this was so long ago, there is no patent for the medication. Paracetamol is a generic over-the-counter (OTC) painkiller that when used on its own is fairly weak, but when used with codeine phosphate, the two active ingredients enhance the effects of the other.
The interpretation of specific signals received by the brain creates the sensation we know as pain. There are different types of pain that can have different causes, severity, and frequency of symptoms. Acute and chronic pain lasts for less than 3 months and more than 3 months, respectively. Some examples of acute pain include:
Some examples of chronic pain include:
If you are experiencing pain and would like to buy Co-codamol online from our specialist pharmacy Fast Pharmacy 4U, then you are in the right place. We have a broad selection of treatments available at competitive prices and we offer fast home delivery and discrete service, and you will never need a prescription for any of our products.
As a centrally acting analgesic, the Co-codamol mechanism of action targets the central nervous system (CNS) which is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The CNS transmits electrical signals to the rest of the body to provide information, including the sensation of pain. The electrical signals are regulated by neurotransmitters to either increase or decrease activity.
The Co-codamol active ingredients work collectively to increase the pain-relieving properties of the medication. Codeine phosphate is an opioid analgesic, and this active ingredient binds to the opioid receptors in the brain to mimic the action of endorphins, which are the natural opioids produced by the body. Opioids from outside the body, known as exogenous, and from within the body, known as endogenous, work in the same way.
They are opioid agonists which means that they stimulate the opioid receptors to increase their activity within the CNS, and this action alters the concentration of neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline and acetylcholine. The reduced concentration of the relevant neurotransmitters interrupts the transmission of the signals related to pain. This results in the perception of pain being reduced or eliminated entirely.
The other, less potent Co-codamol active ingredient is paracetamol, which targets something called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormone-like lipid substances that are produced in response to tissue damage and inflammation. Prostaglandins increase nerve sensitivity, so when they increased in concentration, the sensation and perception of pain is also increased.
When paracetamol inhibits the production of prostaglandins, nerve sensitivity is reduced, thereby treating the symptoms of pain further. The Co-codamol mechanism of action is a dual action, so each active ingredient is treating symptoms by targeting a different function. This increases the potency, and the compound is much more effective than using either medication in isolation.
Co-codamol tablets are suitable for the management of both acute and chronic pain including the examples we listed earlier. When to take this medication and how much to take is what we are going to discuss now. There are a number of strengths available, and your dosage will depend on how severe your symptoms are. The first number is telling you the amount of codeine phosphate in the medication, while the second number is telling you how much paracetamol the medication contains.
The amount of paracetamol will always be the same, so you only need to pay attention to the first number when you are looking for different strengths. Co-codamol 15mg/500mg is used for moderate pain and it can be taken with an OTC painkiller such as ibuprofen if you feel you need a little more pain relief. Co-codamol 30mg/500mg is used to manage more severe symptoms or you may need to increase this strength as your tolerance increases and lower doses are no longer effective enough.
Make sure to read and follow the Co-codamol dosage instructions thoroughly to get the best results from your treatment. Academic studies suggest tablets should always be swallowed whole with a full glass of water to facilitate absorption. For consistent pain, take 1 to 2 tablets in the morning and then with lunch, dinner, and before bed. Always leave 4 to 6 hours in between each dose. If your symptoms come and go, then you will not need to take your medication consistently throughout the day, but rather when you are experiencing symptoms.
Again, make sure to leave enough of a gap between doses. Do not take this medication more than 4 times per day, which equates to a maximum of 8 tablets or 240mg of codeine and 4000mg of paracetamol in any 24-hour period. As Co-codamol tablets increase your tolerance, you can reduce the risk of this by taking it intermittently. You should try to take it for 3 days or less each week and leave days in between when you do not take it.
When you are not taking it there are other techniques you can implement to reduce your symptoms, which you can also use alongside medication. Physiotherapy or light exercise can help with pain, particularly musculoskeletal pain. Getting enough rest and sleep is perhaps the most important way to manage your pain as this is how your body naturally recovers.
The Co-codamol onset of action for both active ingredients is around 30 minutes, and they reach their highest concentrations after 1 hour. After being absorbed, several processes take place for the medication to be metabolised and eliminated from the body. The Co-codamol elimination half-life is usually around 3 hours, and the duration of action is roughly twice this amount of time.
As the process of metabolism and elimination varies from person to person, the Co-codamol duration of action can last between 4 and 6 hours. If you are taking it throughout the day for persistent pain, then this is ideal because it will be maintained at a consistent level and provide round-the-clock pain relief. If you are able to clear your schedule after taking your medication, then you will be able to feel the full Co-codamol benefits and enjoy your day.
It should be noted that due to the risk of physical dependence over time, you should take your medication intermittently and for no longer than 2 weeks. If you have been taking it daily or for longer than this amount of time, you will need to gradually reduce the strength you are taking and taper off it to reduce withdrawal symptoms.
For the vast majority of people, Co-codamol 30mg/500mg is a safe medication to take. It is licensed and approved for use by many healthcare regulatory agencies around the world, and it is one of the most used painkillers. Some people have contraindications which means that this medication is not suitable. Some of these contraindications include:
Before you buy Co-codamol you should also be aware of any interactions associated with this medication. Do not take the following medications at the same time as this one:
Make sure not to take medication containing paracetamol by accident, such as cold and flu pills, as this can harm your liver. Additionally, do not take Co-codamol tablets if you are allergic to any of the ingredients, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
It is an unfortunate fact that all medications come with the potential to cause side effects. To be approved, medicines must prove that their benefits outweigh their risks, and this includes the incidence of side effects. This is a medication that is well tolerated by most people and has a low incidence of side effects. Of the few Co-codamol side effects that may occur, here are some examples of the more common ones:
There are ways that you can manage side effects if they are bothering you. It is important to stay well hydrated as this will help with almost all Co-codamol side effects, particularly constipation, dry mouth, and dizziness. You should avoid caffeinated and sugary drinks as these are dehydrating and can make side effects worse. You should also avoid alcohol as this can exacerbate drowsiness.
If you feel nauseous while using this medication, you could try taking it with food. This may slow the absorption rate a little, but it will not affect how much of the active ingredient is absorbed. Please refer to the patient information leaflet for a full list of side effects associated with Co-codamol 30mg/500mg, which is available on our website.
There are many reasons that people choose to buy Co-codamol online as opposed to in-store or with a prescription. One of the main reasons is that there is much more variety in terms of strength and products. Strong painkillers are not available from a chemist without a prescription. Co-codamol 7.5mg/500mg is the highest strength available in store, which for many people suffering from pain or chronic health conditions, is not strong enough.
There is a huge variety of generic medications online as well, and ours is available without a prescription. When famous brand names are not involved, medications cost much less. The extra money for branded medication is simply going on branding, and nothing more. When you have been prescribed medication, you will almost always be given a generic product. That is because they are equally as safe and effective, but much more affordable.
Co-codamol reviews are available to read at the bottom of the product page. These are helpful for first-time shoppers as they can get information from an unbiased source. They are written by other people who have bought and used the medication you wish to buy, so you can read their opinion on both the product and the online pharmacy.
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The Co-codamol reviews written by our customers are valued by us. All genuine online pharmacies will read the reviews written by their customers. For us, it helps us to understand what you like and dislike about the pharmacy and allows us to take this feedback on board. This feedback helps us to maintain a user-friendly service and to tailor it to your needs.
To buy Co-codamol online in the UK, just follow these simple steps. Click on the product and select how many you want to purchase, then add them to your basket. From there, proceed to the checkout page and follow the instructions. We have many safe and secure payment options available for you to choose from to complete your transaction. These include Visa, MasterCard, Bank Transfer, and Bitcoin.
When we have your payment, your order will be processed, and we will send you an email. The email will contain information about your order including the estimated delivery date, confirmation of payment, and how the payment will be displayed on your statement. Your order will arrive in 2 to 4 days in the UK, and in 4 to 7 days in Ireland and the EU.
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Last Reviewed: 19th March 2024
Next Review Due: April 2025
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