General Chat

which dosage is he on???

Everyone is concentrating on the headache, but you say he has "awful back pain". That needs controlling as well.

Your co-codomol is, I believe, somewhat equivalent to our Tylenol 2 but with more paracetamol

Tylenol 2 is 200 mg acetominophen (= paracetamol) + 15 mg coedeine phosphate + 15 mg caffeine

Caffeine increases the effects of the acetominiphen and codeine.

I take Tylenol 3 which is 300 mg acetominophen, 30 mg codeine phosphate and 15 mg caffeine, and have done for at least 25 years, on a basis of take 1 or 2 tablets every 4 hours as needed, up to a maximum of 8 in 24hours. Needless to say I am exceedingly careful, and have only taken the maximum of 8 on a couple of occasions. I had to take the full dosage of 8 for about 8 days after I had my last mastectomy. I usually have to take them only for 2 or 3 days, but have taken 3 or 4 a day for as long as 2 weeks.

What I can say is ................

if prescribed by a doctor or the hospital (and presumably that was by a doctor) then it is safe. It has probably been prescribed to deal with both the headache and the back pain. It WILL do so!

Take ONLY as prescribed.

Don't panic!

Drink loads of water to overcome the constipation ..... between 8-10 8 oz glasses of water per day, plus other liquids. Increase water if necessary.

EAT before taking the pills, one biscuit is not enough to protect your stomach. If taking the dose does not time with lunch or tea, he should eat several biscuits or even a slice of bread and jam!

I hope he feels better soon.


BTW ............... I get several pages of patient information every time I get a prescription filled, and that is provided by the pharmacist. You could call your pharmacy and see if they have such a thing. It's far more informative than online!

Ann, Co-codomol come in different strengths. I have had the strongest one on repeat prescription for 18 years now and swear by them. It’s true I only take them when I need them, not every day. Any pain killer used for headaches will cause more headaches if too many are taken or over too long a period - I think it’s called a rebound headache - but taking them as prescribed for just a week shouldn’t cause any problem. Not everyone can take codeine but I hope they help your OH.

It’s strange how different things affect us. I recently tried Nurofen for the first time. After 3 doses I gave up as it did nothing at all for the pain but made me feel sick.

I hope he feels better soon Ann

Thanks LG He had a biscuit with them at 4pm.

As it was only a part box there was no leaflet but I have printed one off from the internet (patients' information leaflet. Lots of unpleasant side effects but I am hoping he won't suffer from them It was the hospital that prescribed tehm, if he is worried he will try and speak to his GP on Monday. He has taken two lots so far with no problem so we will see.I had intended that we speak to the pharmacist when we collected them but our pharmacist wasn't there and there didn't seem to be much order when we wee in there, couldn't even work out who was the relief pharmacist so we didn't bother.

I was on them for ages with my knee problems. Just make sure he eats something when taking them and as namelessone says constipation is a side effect

I think if he was prescribed them, rather than buying them over the counter, he should be ok. - except for constipation!!!!
Have you read the leaflet that comes with them?
If you are worried you should really speak to the pharmacist or gp.

anyone on here taking or taken it? Oh just been put on them for a week, wondering if anyone recommends them or otherwise as I have not heard anything good about them. He has headache and awful back pain and I read that if they are taken for more than 3 days for headaches they make them worse.