How does co-dydramol work?
Co-dydramol contains paracetamol and dihydrocodeine. These 2 painkillers work in different ways to relieve pain.
Paracetamol seems to work by blocking chemical messengers in the brain that tell us we have pain. Paracetamol also reduces a high temperature by affecting the chemical messengers in an area of the brain that regulates body temperature.
Dihydrocodeine belongs to a group of medicines called opiates. It works in the central nervous system and the brain to block pain signals to the rest of the body.
Dihydrocodeine can also work in other ways. It can sometimes make your breathing slower and more shallow. It may also slow down your digestion, which can cause constipation.
How long does it take to work?
Co-dydramol takes up to 1 hour to work and keeps working for about 5 hours.
Are there any long-term side effects?
If you buy co-dydramol from a pharmacy, do not use it for more than 3 days. If your pain has not gone away, talk to a pharmacist or doctor.
If you need to take co-dydramol for a long time, your body can become used to (known as tolerance), to the dihydrocodeine in it. That means you need higher doses to control your pain over time.
Some people can become 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 dihydrocodeine in co-dydramol. 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-dydramol.
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.
Can I become addicted to co-dydramol?
If you take co-dydramol regularly for a long time, you can become addicted to the dihydrocodeine in it.
You're unlikely to become addicted if you follow your doctor's advice carefully about how long to take it for.
If you buy co-dydramol at a pharmacy, follow the instructions that come with the medicine and only take it for up to 3 days at a time. If your pain is not better after 3 days, it's important to ask your doctor for advice about further pain relief.
How will I know if I'm addicted to co-dydramol?
If you're addicted to the dihydrocodeine in co-dydramol, you may find it difficult to stop taking it or feel you need to take it more often than necessary.
If you stop taking dihydrocodeine suddenly, you may get withdrawal symptoms.
These can include:
- feeling agitated or anxious
- panic attacks
- feeling your heart beat (palpitations)
- difficulty sleeping
- shaking
- sweating
- body aches
- feeling restless
Talk to your doctor if you:
- are worried about addiction
- need help with addiction
- want to stop taking dihydrocodeine
Are there other painkillers I can try?
Some painkillers work better than others for certain types of pain. For example, the best painkiller to ease your headache may not be the best one for your backache.
Before taking co-dydramol, try taking paracetamol to see if that helps. Paracetamol can relieve most types of pain.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can reduce inflammation as well as pain. These are good for joint, back and muscular pain.
However, NSAIDs are not suitable for some people. This includes people with stomach ulcers, or severe heart, kidney or liver problems. If you want to try NSAIDs, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
Will it affect my contraception?
Co-dydramol does not stop any type of contraception from working, including the combined contraceptive pill, progestogen-only pill and emergency contraception.
But if co-dydramol makes you sick (vomit), your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Look on the pill packet to find out what to do.
Find out more:
Can I drive or ride a bike if I'm taking co-dydramol?
Co-dydramol can make you feel sleepy or dizzy. If this happens to you, do not drive, ride a bike or operate machinery until you feel better.
It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive. If you're in any doubt, do not drive.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's safe for you to drive while taking co-dydramol. GOV.UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving.
Can I drink alcohol if I'm taking co-dydramol?
Drinking alcohol while you're taking co-dydramol can make you feel sleepier. It can also increase the risk of serious side effects.
It's best to stop drinking alcohol during the first few days of treatment until you see how the co-dydramol affects you.
If you feel sleepy with co-dydramol, do not drink alcohol while you're taking it.
Is there any food or drink I need to avoid?
You can eat and drink normally while taking co-dydramol.
Will recreational drugs affect it?
If you take recreational drugs such as cannabis, cocaine or heroin while you're taking co-dydramol, you're more likely to get the serious side effects of the dihydrocodeine in co-dydramol. These include breathing difficulties, heart problems, seizures or fits and even going into a coma.
Cannabis and other drugs like it can make you more likely to have other side effects from the dihydrocodeine. These include sleepiness and dizziness.
Taking heroin while you're on prescribed co-dydramol is particularly dangerous. You're more likely to get all the side effects of the dihydrocodeine in co-dydramol, including addiction.
Speak to your doctor if you think you might take recreational drugs while taking co-dydramol.
You can find out more about the side effects of recreational drugs on the Frank website.