Co-codaprin is a mixture of 2 different painkillers: aspirin and codeine.

It's used to treat aches and pains, including headaches, muscular pain, migraine and toothache. It can also be used to treat the symptoms of colds and flu.

Aspirin belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Codeine belongs to a group of medicines called opiates. It affects pain receptors in the central nervous system and the brain to block pain signals to the rest of the body.

It's usually taken when everyday painkillers, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin alone, have not worked.

This medicine comes as tablets. It's available on prescription. Co-codaprin is available without a prescription, but only from a pharmacy.

• Co-codaprin is another name for aspirin and codeine.
• If you buy co-codaprin from a pharmacy and your pain is not better after 3 days, it's important to ask your doctor for advice about ongoing pain relief.
• It's possible to become addicted to the codeine in this medicine if you take it for too long. Only take it when you need it for pain relief.
• It's best to take co-codaprin with or just after eating food. You'll be less likely to get mild indigestion or stomach pain. These are common side effects of co-codaprin.
• Never give co-codaprin to children under 16 years old, unless their doctor prescribes it. This is because it contains aspirin, which can cause serious side effects in children.

Most people aged 16 years old and over can safely take co-codaprin. But co-codaprin is not suitable for some people. 

There's a possible link between the aspirin in co-codaprin and Reye's syndrome in children. Reye's syndrome is a very rare condition that can cause serious liver and brain damage.

Do not give co-codaprin to anyone aged 18 years or under who has had their tonsils or adenoids taken out to treat obstructive sleep apnoea.

Follow the instructions that come with your medicine. This is particularly important because the codeine in co-codaprin can be addictive.

Dosage and strength

The strength of co-codaprin appears as 2 numbers on the packet, for example, as 8/400. This means it contains 8mg of codeine and 400mg of aspirin.

The usual dose for adults (over the age of 18) is 1 or 2 co-codaprin tablets, up to 4 times in 24 hours.

Always leave at least 4 hours between doses.

The maximum dose is 8 tablets in 24 hours.

The usual dose for teenagers aged 16 to 18 years old is the same. They should not have co-codaprin, however, if they have had their tonsils or adenoids taken out to treat obstructive sleep apnoea.

It's safe to take co-codaprin with paracetamol.

Do not take co-codaprin with any other medicines that contain codeine.

Also do not take it with any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen. If you take NSAIDs together, it may increase the chance of you getting side effects like stomach ache or bleeding.

These painkillers are often included in medicines you can buy from pharmacies. For example, Nurofen or Nurofen Plus, or cough and cold remedies such as Nurofen Cold & Flu or Beechams Powders.

Like all medicines, co-codaprin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Many people have no side effects or only minor ones.

Common side effects

These side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people. Tell your doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away:

• mild indigestion
• feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
• constipation
• feeling sleepy
• bleeding more easily than normal – because aspirin thins your blood, it can sometimes make you bleed more easily (for example, you may get nosebleeds, bruise more easily and, if you cut yourself, the bleeding may take longer than normal to stop)
• dizziness and vertigo (a sensation of spinning)
• headaches

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 100 people.

Contact a doctor straight away if you have:

• a change in your normal heart rate (slower or faster) and you feel dizzy or very tired – these can be signs of a heart problem
• a fit or seizure
• difficulty breathing or short, shallow breathing
• stiffness in your muscles
• feeling faint when you stand up or sit quickly – this can be a sign of low blood pressure
• coughing up blood or blood in your pee, poo or vomit
• dark pee or the whites of your eyes turn yellow – this can be a sign of liver problems
• painful joints in your hands and feet – this can be a sign of high levels of uric acid in the blood
• swollen hands or feet – this can be a sign of a build-up of fluid in your body

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to co-codaprin.

What to do about:

• mild indigestion – take your co-codaprin with food or just after a meal. If the indigestion still does not go away, it could be a sign that the co-codaprin has caused a stomach ulcer. Talk to your doctor, as they may prescribe something to protect your stomach or switch you to a different medicine.
• feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting) – take co-codaprin with or just after a meal or snack. Feelings of sickness should normally wear off after a few days. Talk to your doctor about taking an anti-sickness medicine if it carries on for longer.
• constipation – get more fibre into your diet, such as fresh fruit and vegetables and cereals. Try to drink several glasses of water or another non-alcoholic liquid each day. If you can, it may also help to increase your level of exercise.
• feeling sleepy or tired – do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery if you're feeling this way. Do not drink any alcohol, as this will make you feel more tired.
• bleeding more easily than normal – be careful when doing activities that may cause an injury or a cut as it may take longer than usual for any bleeding to stop.
• dizziness and vertigo – if you feel dizzy or unsteady, stop what you're doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery if you're feeling dizzy. Do not drink alcohol, as it will make you feel worse.
• headaches – make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. It's best not to drink too much alcohol. Talk to your doctor if the headaches last longer than a week or are severe.

Co-codaprin is not recommended during pregnancy. There are safer medicines you can take. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

For most women, paracetamol is the best painkiller to take in pregnancy.

Co-codaprin and breastfeeding

Co-codaprin is not recommended while breastfeeding.

For most women it's better to take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain or a high temperature while you're breastfeeding.

For more information about how pain relief can help you during pregnancy, visit the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPS) website.

Some medicines can affect the way co-codaprin works. And co-codaprin can affect the way some medicines work.

Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medicines, especially:

• medicines that help to prevent blood clots such as warfarin and clopidogrel
• medicines for pain and swelling (inflammation), such as ibuprofen and naproxen
• sleeping pills, antidepressants or lithium (a medicine for mental health problems)
• medicines to stop you feeling or being sick, such as domperidone or metoclopramide
• medicines to treat infection, particularly rifampicin and ciprofloxacin
• epilepsy medicines
• medicines to prevent organ rejection after transplant, such as ciclosporin and tacrolimus
• steroids, such as prednisolone
• medicines to treat high blood pressure, such as ramipril
• diuretics (medicines to make you pee more), such as bendroflumethiazide and furosemide
• digoxin, a medicine for heart problems
• acetazolamide, for an eye problem called glaucoma
• methotrexate, a medicine used to calm your immune system and treat some types of cancer
• diabetes medicines, such as gliclazide
• antihistamines that make you feel drowsy, like chlorphenamine

Mixing co-codaprin with herbal remedies and supplements

It's not possible to say that herbal remedies or supplements are safe to take with co-codaprin.

They are not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.