Co-codamol

What is Co-codamol Used for?

Co-codamol is a commonly issued painkiller used for moderate to severe pain. It has two active ingredients, which means it is referred to as a compound analgesic. The more potent of the two active ingredients is codeine phosphate, which is an opioid that was discovered in 1832 by a French chemist named Pierre Jean Robiquet. The other active ingredient is paracetamol, which is a common over the counter painkiller. When combined and used as a compound analgesic, the pain-relieving properties are much more potent than when using either medication alone.

Pain is a sensation that is interpreted by the brain, usually to tell us something is wrong. It can also be a symptom of a chronic condition. Moderate to severe pain usually requires medication to treat the symptoms. Conditions that may benefit from this medication include:

• Muscular pain
• Headache
• Toothache
• Arthritis
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Cancer-related pain

Co-codamol tablets are also used off-label to treat dry cough and restless leg syndrome, however, this is less common and considered second-line treatment when other options do not work.

Is pain beginning to affect your overall quality of life? Are you tired of paying the high prices charged by the high street chemist? Would you like to be able to buy Co-codamol online without getting a prescription from your GP? Well, look no further, because you have come to the right place. Carry on reading for more information about how this medication works, dosage instructions, possible side effects, and how to buy it.

How Does Co-codamol Work?

The Co-codamol active ingredients, as we have said, are a mixture of codeine phosphate and paracetamol. The different active ingredients have different mechanisms of action, which is what makes using them at the same time so effective. The way that codeine works is by binding to opioid receptors and essentially mimics natural opioids in the body called endorphins. Opioid receptors are found in the brain, which is part of the central nervous system.

When the active ingredient binds with these receptors, the levels of chemicals called neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and noradrenaline are altered. When they are altered, the electrical signals that transmit information about pain are interrupted, thereby reducing, or eliminating the perception. Paracetamol works by targeting hormone-like lipid substances called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are produced in response to pain caused by tissue damage and inflammation.

An increase in the levels of prostaglandins causes an increase in nerve sensitivity, which makes the sensation of pain worse. By interfering with the production of these substances, paracetamol reduces nerve sensitivity, further treating the symptoms of pain. As Co-codamol pills have both active ingredients, both mechanisms of action are taking place at the same time, which makes this a highly effective pain medication.

How Long Does Co-codamol Take to Work?

Read the Co-codamol dosage instructions before taking it so that you understand how to take the medication for the best results. Capsules should always be swallowed in their full form, i.e., whole, and not crushed. Take the capsules with enough liquid so that you can swallow them easily. When the tablets have been swallowed and reach your gastrointestinal system, they are absorbed into your bloodstream where the active ingredients can travel to their target.

The bioavailability of Co-codamol is 90% which means that this amount of the medication is available for the body to use. It reaches its peak levels in the body after 1 hour on average, which is when you will feel the most benefits from the medication. Although it is readily absorbed, the rate of absorption can differ depending on the way your body works.

It is usually absorbed more quickly and will start to work earlier in people with faster metabolisms compared to people with slower metabolisms. Similarly, it often works earlier in people with lower BMIs. Taking Co-codamol tablets with food can slow down the absorption rate but it can help with feelings of nausea.

How Many Co-codamol Can You Take Per/Day?

There are 3 strengths available, with Co-codamol 8 mg / 500 mg being the lowest. The first number is the amount of codeine in the medication, and the second is the amount of paracetamol which always remains at 500 mg. You can buy Co-codamol over the counter at the lowest strength, but higher doses either require a prescription or can be bought online. This dose is only used to treat mild to moderate pain, so it is not suitable for everyone. If you have moderate to severe pain, either from injury or a chronic condition, Co-codamol 30 mg / 500 mg is usually more appropriate.

The way you take the medication will depend on why you are using it. Some examples of this include:

• Aches and pains including muscular pain, headache, and toothache - take the medication as soon as your symptoms become apparent, or you can no longer tolerate them. You can take more tablets if you are still experiencing symptoms, but you need to make sure you leave 4 hours between doses.
• Chronic conditions such as arthritis and peripheral neuropathy - most people with chronic conditions will need to take medication throughout the day, starting in the morning when you get up. Take the medication every 4 to 6 hours, ensuring you do not take more than 8 capsules per day. Even if you are on a lower strength, you still cannot take more than 8 tablets, as the paracetamol content is always 500 mg.

The highest strength is Co-codamol 60 mg / 500 mg. Increasing the dose will treat symptoms more effectively, however, with higher doses, there is also an increased risk of experiencing more side effects.

If you are taking this medication for chronic pain, then your dosage should be reviewed every 12 months. If after using it on a long-term basis, you no longer need it anymore, then a tapering off process should be adhered to, to reduce the risk of unpleasant withdrawal effects.

How Long Does Co-codamol Stay in Your System?

The Co-codamol elimination half-life is roughly 3 hours, and the duration of action is 4 to 6 hours. As half the medication is expelled from the body after 3 hours, it will work for at least twice this amount of time before the benefits start to wear off. Compound analgesics with a dual mechanism of action can reduce the number of tablets you need to take per day as they are more effective than when you take a medication in isolation. If you find it is not enough, you can intersperse your dosing with over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen.

There are also natural ways to manage your pain if you feel medication is not enough on its own. If you are suffering from joint pain, then physiotherapy may be a good thing to implement alongside medication. Massages can help with muscular pain. Some people also find acupuncture useful for a variety of conditions, although this can be expensive for a lot of people.

Is Co-codamol Safe for Everyone?

For most people yes, however, there are some medications, including Co-codamol 30 mg / 50 mg, that are not suitable for some people. If someone has something called a contraindication, that means they belong to a group of people or have a medical condition which means they should be more careful when taking this medication, or even avoid it altogether. Examples of Co-codamol contraindications include:

• Pregnancy
• Liver or kidney disease
• Breathing problems like COPD
• Epilepsy
• Myasthenia gravis

Before you buy Co-codamol you should also be aware of medications which negatively interact with this one. Do not take this medication at the same time as the following medications:

• Other painkillers which contain opioids
• Medications which contain paracetamol
• Benzodiazepines
• Non-benzodiazepines

Be careful not to accidentally take medication which contains paracetamol such as cold and flu tablets, as too much paracetamol can cause liver damage.

Co-codamol Side Effects Explained

People who suffer with pain buy Co-codamol so frequently because it is a safe medication which is well tolerated. There are inevitably side effects which may affect some people, as there are with all medications. People who do experience side effects usually just need a little time for their bodies to adjust to the new medication, and find they go away after a short period of time. Some Co-codamol side effects include:

• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Constipation

If any of the above-mentioned are a problem, then you could take your Co-codamol tablets with food to avoid nausea and stay well hydrated to avoid a dry mouth and constipation. Serious side effects are rare but can occur. Seek medical attention and stop taking this medication if any of the following occur:

• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures
• Difficulty urinating

Please read the patient information leaflet on our website for a full list of side effects.

Medication Similar to Co-codamol

There are a variety of painkillers used to treat both acute and chronic pain. There are fewer which are compound analgesics like Co-codamol 30 mg / 500 mg, except Co-dydramol and a mixture of codeine and ibuprofen. Co-dydramol is a combination of dihydrocodeine and paracetamol, so it is very similar to this medication. Other similar medications include:

• Tramadol - this is an opioid analgesic with a dual mechanism of action. It targets both opioid and noradrenaline receptors to treat moderate to severe pain.
• Tapentadol- this is an opioid analgesic that is stronger than tramadol and can also be used for moderate to severe pain.
• Morphine - this is the strongest opioid-based medication of the three and is reserved for more severe symptoms.

The similarities between these medications and Co-codamol are that they all bind to opioid receptors to exert their pain-relieving properties.

Benefits of Co-codamol Pain Tablets

Pain does not have to control your life. You can do something about it and get your life back. Co-codamol 30 mg / 500 mg is an effective medication that is widely used to manage both short-term and long-term pain. Pain can seriously hinder our wellbeing and quality of life, and by using this medication as instructed, people are able to go about their lives more normally and feel like they have a sense of control.

You do not have to live in fear that your symptoms are going to hinder your day-to-day life. When people live in pain, their mental health can also suffer, which makes managing relationships, friendships, and work life difficult. The Co-codamol benefits can be felt not only in terms of managing the symptoms of pain, but in your home and work life as well.

When you no longer need pain relief, it is always important to follow a tapering off process to ensure your pain does not come back abruptly. If you have been using this medication for a long time, you may have withdrawal effects if you stop it suddenly, so this is another reason to gradually reduce your dose.

Where Can I Buy Co-codamol Online in the UK?

Now that we have given you the most important information about this medication, it is time to tell you how to buy Co-codamol online. The first thing you need to do is to click on the product you wish to purchase and select how many Co-codamol tablets you want to buy. When you have done this, you can proceed to the checkout page where you will be given instructions guiding you on how to finalize your order. We remind customers that when choosing a larger quantity, there will be a bulk order discount, helping save further in the long term.

To complete your transaction, decide on one of our secure payment methods, which include Visa, MasterCard, direct bank transfer, or Bitcoin. When your Co-codamol order has been submitted, an email will be received indicating the order was received and paid for. This email will also indicate the estimated shipping times, as well as the descriptor name that will appear on your bank statement. We provide fast and discreet delivery, and you can expect to receive your medication in 2-4 days if in the UK, and 4-7 days if in the EU or Ireland.

To buy Co-codamol online in the UK just visit onlinepharmacy.to and place your order for Co-codamol today for effective and affordable pain relief.