Co-codamol Effervescent Tablets 8/500mg

Co-codamol Effervescent Tablets 8/500mg

Each tablet contains 8mg codeine phosphate hemihydrate and 500mg paracetamol

Effervescent tablet

White circular, flat bevelled edge tablet, plain on both sides.

For the short-term treatment of acute moderate pain which is not relieved by paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin alone such as headaches, migraine, neuralgia, toothache, dysmenorrhoea, and rheumatic pain.

Co-codamolis indicated in patients older than 12 years of age for the treatment of acute moderate pain which is not considered to be relieved by other analgesics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (alone).

Co-codamol should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest period of time. This dose may be taken, up to 4 times a day at intervals of not less than 6 hours. Maximum daily dose should not exceed 8 tablets in any 24 hour period.

Do not take continuously for more than 3 days without consulting your doctor.

Paediatric population:

Children aged less than 12 years:

Codeine should not be used in children below the age of 12 years because of the risk of opioid toxicity due to the variable and unpredictable metabolism of codeine to morphine (see sections 4.3 and 4.4).

Children 12-15 years:

One tablet dissolved in water every 6 hours when necessary to a maximum of 4 tablets in 24 hours

Children 16-18 years:

One to two tablets every 6 hours when necessary to a maximum of 8 tablets in 24 hours

Adults

One to two tablets dissolved in water every 6 hours as required, to a maximum of 8 tablets in 24 hours

Elderly

Dosage should be reduced in the elderly where there is impairment of hepatic function.

Method of administration

For oral administration only.

The duration of treatment should be limited to 3 days and if no effective pain relief is achieved the patients/carers should be advised to seek the views of a physician.

Conditions where morphine and opioids are contra-indicated e.g. acute alcoholism and where risk of paralytic ileus, acute respiratory depression, raised intracranial pressure or head injury (affects pupillary responses vital for neurological assessment).

• Hypersensitivityto the active substances, other opioids or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

• Diarrhoea caused by poisoning until the toxic material has been eliminated, or diarrhoea associated with psuedomembraneous colitis

• Obstructive airways disease

• In all paediatric patients (0-18 years of age) who undergo tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome due to an increased risk of developing serious and life-threatening adverse reactions (see section 4.4)

• In women during breastfeeding (see section 4.6)

• In patients for whom it is known they are CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolisers

Co-codamol effervescent is not recommended for children under the age of 12 years.

Immediate medical advice should be sought in the event of an overdose, even if you feel well, because the risk of delayed, serious liver damage.

Other paracetamol containing medication should be avoided when taking co-codamol effervescent tablets. The tablets contain aspartame and so should not be taken by patients with phenylketonuria.

This medicinal product contains 438mg sodium per tablet, equivalent to 22% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake for sodium.

The maximum daily dose of this product is equivalent to 175% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake for sodium.

Co-codamol Effervescent Tablets are considered high in sodium. This should be particularly taken into account for those on a low salt diet.

Co-codamol should be used with caution in patients with:

• Hepatic function impairment (avoid if severe) and those non-cirrhotic alcoholic liver disease. The hazards of overdose are greater in those with non-cirrhotic alcoholic liver disease

• Prolonged use of co-codamol may cause hepatic necrosis

• renal function impairment

• Hypothyroidism (risk of depression and prolonged CNS depression is increased)

• Inflammatory bowel disease -risk of toxic megacolon

• Opioids should not be administered during an asthma attack

• Convulsions – may be induced or exacerbated

• Drug abuse, dependence (including alcoholism), enhanced instability, suicidal ideation or attempts – predisposed to drug abuse

• Head injuries or conditions where intracranial pressure is raised

• Gall bladder disease or gall stones – opioids may cause biliary contraction

• Gastro-intestinal surgery – use with caution after recent GI surgery as opioids may alter GI motility

• Prostatic hypertrophy or recent urinary tract surgery

• Adrenocortical insufficient, eg Addison's Disease

• Hypotension and shock

• Myasthenia gravis

• Phaeochromocytoma – opioids may stimulate catecholamine release by inducing the release of endogenous histamine.

Where analgesics are used long-term (>3 months) with administration every two days or more frequently, headache may develop or worsen. Headache induced by overuse of analgesics (MOH medication-overuse headache) should not be treated by dose increase. In such cases, the use of analgesics should be discontinued in consultation with the doctor.

Risk from concomitant use of sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs:

Concomitant use of co-codamol and sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs may result in sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. Because of these risks, concomitant prescribing with these sedative medicines should be reserved for patients for whom alternative treatment options are not possible. If a decision is made to prescribe co-codamol concomitantly with sedative medicines, the lowest effective dose should be used, and the duration of treatment should be as short as possible.

The patients should be followed closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation. In this respect, it is strongly recommended to inform patients and their caregivers to be aware of these symptoms (see section 4.5).

CYP2D6 metabolism

Codeine is metabolised by the liver enzyme CYP2D6 into morphine, its active metabolite. If a patient has a deficiency or is completely lacking this enzyme an adequate analgesic effect will not be obtained. Estimates indicate that up to 7% of the Caucasian population may have this deficiency. However, if the patient is an extensive or ultra-rapid metaboliser there is an increased risk of developing side effects of opioid toxicity even at commonly prescribed doses. These patients convert codeine into morphine rapidly resulting in higher than expected serum morphine levels.

General symptoms of opioid toxicity include confusion, somnolence, shallow breathing, small pupils, nausea, vomiting, constipation and lack of appetite. In severe cases this may include symptoms of circulatory and respiratory depression, which may be life-threatening and very rarely fatal.

Estimates of prevalence of ultra-rapid metabolisers in different populations are summarized below:

Paediatric population

Post-operative use in children

There have been reports in the published literature that codeine given post-operatively in children after tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy for obstructive sleep apnoea, led to rare, but life- threatening adverse events including death (see also section 4.3). All children received doses of codeine that were within the appropriate dose range; however there was evidence that these children were either ultra-rapid or extensive metabolisers in their ability to metabolise codeine to morphine.

Children with compromised respiratory function

Codeine is not recommended for use in children in whom respiratory function might be compromised including neuromuscular disorders, severe cardiac or respiratory conditions, upper respiratory or lung infections, multiple trauma or extensive surgical procedures. These factors may worsen symptoms of morphine toxicity.

Label Warnings:

Do not take anything else contianing paracetamol while taking this medicine.

Immediate medical advice should be sought in the event of an overdose, even if you feel well.

or if leaflet present:

Immediate medical advice should be sought in the event of an overdose, even if you feel well

The label will state:

Front of Pack

• Can cause addiction

• For three days use only

• For Pain relief

Back of Pack

• This medicine can only be used for the short term treatment of acute moderate pain when other painkillers have not worked.For the treatment of muscular and rheumatic pains, headache, migraine, neuralgia, toothache and period pains.

• If you need to take this medicine continuously for more than three days you should see your doctor or pharmacist

• This medicine contains codeine which can cause addiction if you take it continuously for more than three days. If you take this medicine for headaches for more than three days it can make them worse

The leaflet will state:

Headlines section (to be prominently displayed)

• This medicine can only be used for the short term treatment of acute moderate pain which is not relieved by paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin alone.

• This medicine should not be taken for more than three days. If the pain does not improve after 3 days, talk to your doctor for advice.

• Taking codeine regularly for a long period of time can lead to addiction, which might cause you to feel restless and irritable when you stop taking the tablets.• Taking a painkiller for headaches too often or for too long can make them worse.

Section 1: What the medicine is for

• Co-codamol 8/500 is an analgesic (painkiller) for the short term treatment of acute moderate pain which is not relieved by paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin alone. It is used to relieve muscular and rheumatic pains, headache, migraine, neuralgia (severe burning or stabbing pain following the line of a nerve), toothache and period pains.

Do not take less than four hours after taking other painkillers.

Section 2: Before taking

• This medicine contains codeine which can cause addiction if you take it continuously for more than three days. This can give you withdrawal symptoms from the medicine when you stop taking it.

• If you take a painkiller for headaches for more than three days it can make them worse.

Section 3: How to take co-codamol

• Do not take for more than 3 days. If you need to use this medicine for more than three days you must speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

If you stop taking the tablets

• This medicine contains codeine and can cause addiction if you take it continuously for more than three days. When you stop taking it you may get withdrawal symptoms. You should talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you think you are suffering from withdrawal symptoms such as tremor, difficulty sleeping, feeling or being sick, sweating and increased heart rate, breathing or blood pressure.

Section 4: Possible Side effects

• Like all medicines, Co-codamol 8/500 can cause side effects although not everybody gets them. If you get any of the following symptoms after taking these tablets, you should contact your doctor immediately:

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard, or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

How do I know if I am addicted?

If you take the medicine according to the instructions on the pack it is unlikely that you will become addicted to the medicine. However, if the following apply to you it is important that you talk to your doctor:

- You need to take the medicine for longer periods of time.

- You need to take more than the recommended dose.

- When you stop taking the medicine you feel very unwell but you feel better if you start taking the medicine again.

Paracetamol can interact with the following:

• Drugs which alter gastric emptying time (eg cimetidine, ethyl alcohol, oral steroid contraceptives). These drugs reduce or delay peak paracetamol blood levels.

• Metoclopramide or domperidone increased the speed of absorption of paracetamol

• Colestyramine reduces paracetamol absorption

• Drugs which interfere with the metabolism of paracetamol by competition with metabolic pathways or substrates eg anticonvulsants (phenytoin), hepatic enzyme inducers, alcohol, barbiturates, tricyclic antidepressants. A poor diet (low protein) may also have a similar effect on the risk of serious paracetamol toxicity to hepatic enzyme inducers. Patient who have taken barbiturates, tricyclic antidepressants and alcohol may show diminished ability to metabolise large doses of paracetamol, the plasma half-live of which may be prolonged

• The anticoagulant effect of warfarin and coumarins may be enhanced by prolonged regular use of paracetamol with increased risk of bleeding; occasional doses have no significant effect.

• Alcohol can increase the hepatotoxicity of paracetamol overdosage and may have contributed to the acute pancreatitis reported in one patient who had taken an overdosage of paracetamol.

Codeine phosphate can interact with the following:

• CNS depressants – enhances sedative and/or hypotensive effects with alcohol, anaesthetics, hypnotics, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, hydroxyzine, tricyclic antidepressants

• Sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs: the concomitant use of opioids with sedative medicines such as benzodiazepine or related drugs increased the risk of sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death of addition CNS depressant effect. The dose and duration of concomitant use should be limited (see section 4.4)

• Antibacterials, eg ciprofloxacin, - avoid premedication with opioids as reduced plasma ciprofloxacin concentration

• MAOIs - use only with extreme caution

• Cyclizine

• Mexiletine - delayed absorption

• Metoclopramide and domperidone - antagonise GI effects

• Cisapride - possible antagonism of GI effects

• Dopaminergics (eg selegiline) - possible risk of hyperpyrexia and CNS toxicity.

This risk is greater with pethidine but with other opioids the risk is uncertain

• Ulcer healing drugs - cimetidine inhibits the metabolism of opioid analgesics.

• Anticholinergics (eg atropine) - risk of severe constipation which may lead to paralytic illness, and /or urinary retention

• Antidiarrhoeal drugs (eg loperamide, kaolin) - increased risk of severe constipation

• Antihypertensive drugs (eg guanethidine, diuretics) – enhanced hypotensive effect

• Opioid antagonists (eg buprenorphine, naltrexone, naloxone)

• Neuromuscular blocking agents - additive respiratory depressant effects.

MAOI's taken with pethidine have been associated with severe CNS excitation or depression (including hypertension or hypotension). Although this is not been documented with codeine, it is possible that a similar interaction may occur and therefore the use of codeine should be avoided while the patient is taking MAOIs and for 2 weeks after MAOI discontinuation.

Enzyme-inducing medicines, such as some antiepileptic drugs (phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine) have been shown in pharmacokinetic studies to reduce the plasma AUC of Paracetamol to approximately 60%. Other substances with enzyme inducing properties, e.g. rifampicin and St. John's wort (hypericum) are also suspected of causing lowered concentrations of Paracetamol. In addition, the risk of liver damage during treatment with maximum recommended doses of Paracetamol will be higher in patients being treated with enzyme-inducing agents.

Pregnancy

Administration should be avoided during the late stages of labour and during the delivery of a premature infant.

A large amount of data on pregnant women indicate neither malformative, nor feto/neonatal toxicity. Epidemiological studies on neurodevelopment in children exposed to paracetamol in utero show inconclusive results. If clinically needed, paracetamol can be used during pregnancy,however it should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time and at the lowest possible frequency.

Risk benefit must be considered because opioid analgesics cross the placenta. Studies in animals have shown opioids to cause delayed ossification in mice and increased resorption in rats. Regular use during pregnancy may cause physical dependence in the fetus, leading to withdrawal symptoms in the neonate.

Breast-feeding

Paracetamol is excreted in breast milk but not in a clinically significant amount. Available published data do not contraindicate breast feeding.

Codeine should not be used during breastfeeding (see section 4.3).

At normal therapeutic doses codeine and its active metabolite may be present in breast milk at very low doses and is unlikely to adversely affect the breast fed infant. However, if the patient is an ultra- rapid metaboliser of CYP2D6, higher levels of the active metabolite, morphine, may be present in breast milk and on very rare occasions may result in symptoms of opioid toxicity in the infant, which may be fatal.

If symptoms of opioid toxicity develop in either the mother or the infant, then all codeine containing medicines should be stopped and alternative non-opioid analgesics prescribed. In severe cases consideration should be given to prescribing naloxone to reverse these effects.

Opioid analgesics can impair mental function and can cause blurred vision and dizziness. Patients should make sure they are not affected before driving or operating machinery.

This medicine can impair cognitive function and can affect a patient's ability to drive safely. This class of medicine is in the list of drugs included in regulations under 5a of the Road Traffic Act 1988. When prescribing this medicine, patients should be told:

• The medicine is likely to affect your ability to drive

• Do not drive until you know how the medicine affects you

• It is an offence to drive while under the influence of this medicine

• However, you would not be committing an offence (called 'statutory defence') if:

- The medicine has been prescribed to treat a medical or dental problem and

- You have taken it according to the instructions given by the prescriber and in the information provided with the medicine and

- It was not affecting your ability to drive safely

Most reports of adverse reactions to paracetamol relate to overdosage with the drug.

At the recommended dosage, paracetamol may cause the following side effects:

Adverse effects of opioid treatment which have been reported include:

• Effects of withdrawal – abrupt withdrawal precipitates a withdrawal syndrome. Symptoms may include tremor, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, sweating and increase in heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure. NOTE - tolerance diminishes rapidly after withdrawal so a previously tolerated dose may prove fatal.

• Regular prolonged use of codeine is known to lead to addiction and tolerance. Symptoms of restlessness and irritability may result when treatment is then stopped.

• Prolonged use of a painkiller for headaches can make them worse.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the yellow card scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Paracetamol

Liver damage is possible in adults who have taken 10g or more of paracetamol. Ingestion of 5g or more of paracetamol may lead to liver damage if the patient has risk factors (see below).

Risk factors

If the patient

a. Is on long term treatment with carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rifampicin, St John's Wort or other drugs that induce liver enzymes.

or

b. Regularly consumes ethanol in excess of recommended amounts. or

c. Is likely to be glutathione deplete e.g. eating disorders, cystic fibrosis, HIV infection, starvation, cachexia.

Symptoms

Symptoms of paracetamol overdosage in the first 24 hours are pallor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and abdominal pain. Liver damage may become apparent 12 to 48 hours after ingestion. Abnormalities of glucose metabolism and metabolic acidosis may occur. In severe poisoning, hepatic failure may progress to encephalopathy, haemorrhage, hypoglycaemia, cerebral oedema, and death. Acute renal failure with acute tubular necrosis, strongly suggested by loin pain, haematuria and proteinuria, may develop even in the absence of severe liver damage. Cardiac arrhythmias and pancreatitis have been reported.

Management

Immediate treatment is essential in the management of paracetamol overdose. Despite a lack of significant early symptoms, patients should be referred to hospital urgently for immediate medical attention. Symptoms may be limited to nausea or vomiting and may not reflect the severity of overdose or the risk of organ damage. Management should be in accordance with established treatment guidelines, see BNF overdose section.

Treatment with activated charcoal should be considered if the overdose has been taken within 1 hour. Plasma paracetamol concentration should be measured 4 hours or later after ingestion (earlier concentrations are unreliable). Treatment with N-acetylcysteine may be used up to 24 hours after ingestion of paracetamol, however, the maximum protective effect is obtained up to 8 hours post- ingestion. The effectiveness of the antidote declines sharply after this time. If required the patient should be given intravenous N-acetylcysteine, in line with the established dosage schedule. If vomiting is not a problem, oral methionine may be a suitable alternative for remote areas, outside hospital. Management of patients who present with serious hepatic dysfunction beyond 24h from ingestion should be discussed with the NPIS or a liver unit.

Codeine

Nausea and vomiting are prominent symptoms of codeine toxicity, with circulatory and respiratory depression in severe overdose.

The effects in overdosage will be potentiated by simultaneous ingestion of alcohol and psychotropic drugs.

Symptoms

Central nervous system depression, including respiratory depression, may develop but is unlikely to be severe unless other sedative agents have been co-ingested, including alcohol, or the overdose is very large. The pupils may be pin-point in size; nausea and vomiting are common. Hypotension and tachycardia are possible but unlikely.

Management

This should include general symptomatic and supportive measures including a clear airway and monitoring of vital signs until stable. Consider activated charcoal if an adult presents within one hour of ingestion of more than 350 mg or a child more than 5 mg/kg.

Give naloxone if coma or respiratory depression is present. Naloxone is a competitive antagonist and has a short half-life so large and repeated doses may be required in a seriously poisoned patient.

Observe for at least four hours after ingestion, or eight hours if a sustained release preparation has been taken.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Anilides, Paracetamol combinations excl. psycholeptics.

ATC Code: N02B E51

Paracetamol has analgesic and antipyretic properties but is has no useful anti-inflammatory properties.

Codeine phosphate is a weak analgesic and is used in the treatment of cough and diarrhoea.

Paracetamol's effects are thought to be related to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.

Codeine is much less potent than morphine and it is inadequate against severe pain even in the largest tolerable doses. It does not cause appreciable respiratory depression but does have antitussive and constipating effects. Codeine is a centrally acting weak analgesic. Codeine exerts its effect through μ opioid receptors, although codeine has low affinity for these receptors, and its analgesic effect is due to its conversion to morphine. Codeine, particularly in combination with other analgesics such as paracetamol, has been shown to be effective in acute nociceptive pain.

Codeine produces its analgesic effects by binding to μ opioid receptors. Codeine also binds weakly to κ opioid receptors which mediates spinal analgesia, sedation and miosis.

Codeine

Absorption and Distribution

Codeine and its salts are readily absorbed from the GI tract and ingestion of codeine phosphate produces peak plasma concentrations in about one hour.

Biotransformation and Excretion

It is metabolised in the liver; and codeine and its metabolites are entirely excreted almost by the kidney, mainly as conjugates with glucuronic acid. The plasma half-life is reported to be 3-4 hours after administration by mouth.

Paracetamol

Absorption and Distribution

Paracetamol is readily absorbed from the GI tract with peak plasma concentrations occurring about 30 minutes-2 hours after ingestion.

Biotransformation and Excretion

It is metabolised in the liver and excreted in the urine, mainly as the glucuronide and sulfate conjugates. The elimination half-life varies from about 1-4 hours.

Plasma-protein binding is negligible at usual therapeutic concentrations but increases with increasing concentrations.

A minor hydroxylated metabolite which is usually produced in very small amounts by mixed-function oxidases in the liver and which is usually detoxified by conjugation with liver glutathione may accumulate following paracetamol overdosage and cause liver damage.

Conventional studies using the currently accepted standards for the evaluation of toxicity to reproduction and development are not available.

Sodium hydrogen carbonate, citric acid, sodium carbonate, povidone, simeticone, sodium saccharin, aspartame, polysorbate 80.

Not applicable

3 years

Do not store above 25°C. Store in a dry place and protect from light.

4 layer paper/PE/aluminium/PE blisters.

Pack sizes: 7, 10, 14, 20, 28, 30 and 32 tablets.

None

Fannin (UK) Limited

DCC Vital

Westminster Industrial Estate

Repton Road, Measham

Swadlincote

Derbyshire

DE12 7DT

England

20417/0028

17/12/2007

19/08/2019