Codeine/paracetamol

Codeine/paracetamol

Combination of
Codeine	Opioid analgesic
paracetamol	Anilide analgesic
Clinical data
Trade names	Tylenol with codeine, others
MedlinePlus	a601005
License data	US DailyMed: Acetaminophen Codeine Phosphate
Routes of administration	By mouth
ATC code	N02BE51 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	AU: S4 (Prescription only) CA: Schedule I UK: POM (Prescription only) / P US: Schedule III / Schedule V
Identifiers
CAS Number	67889-72-9
PubChem CID	11949633
ChemSpider	10123946 Y
KEGG	D02146
NY (what is this?)  (verify)

Codeine/paracetamol, also known as codeine/acetaminophen and co-codamol, is a compound analgesic consisting of a combination of codeine phosphate and paracetamol (acetaminophen). Codeine/paracetamol is used for the relief of mild to moderate pain when paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen alone do not sufficiently relieve symptoms.

In 2020, it was the 187th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions.

Side effects

The most common side effects of co-codamol are constipation and feeling sick (nausea) or sleepy. Other side effects may include blood from mouth, skin rashes, dizziness, sedation, shortness of breath, hypersensitivity reaction, fainting (syncope or near syncope), confusion, loss of short-term memory, changes in blood, allergic reactions, euphoria, dysphoria, abdominal pain, itchiness, easy bruising, bleeding gums, vivid dreams, dry mouth and addiction.

Genetic differences between people give rise to differing rates of metabolism of codeine to morphine. In about 5% of people this may happen particularly fast, leading to higher levels of morphine being passed through breast milk in amounts potentially able to cause fatal respiratory depression of a breastfed baby.

Society and culture

Availability

Of the European Union (EU) member states, 12 countries (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovenia) allow over-the-counter sale of OTC codeine solid dosage forms.

External links

• "Acetaminophen mixture with codeine phosphate". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.