Like all medicines, co-codamol can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Many people have no side effects or only minor ones.
You're more likely to have side effects if you take the higher strengths of co-codamol.
Common side effects
These common side effects of co-codamol happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Constipation
Get more fibre into your diet such as fresh fruit, 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 do some gentle exercise.
Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
Take co-codamol with or just after a meal or snack. Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food.
If you're being sick, try small frequent sips of water to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having strong-smelling pee.
If you take the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and you're being sick, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.
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.
Feeling dizzy
If co-codamol makes you feel dizzy when you stand up, try getting up very slowly or stay sitting down until you feel better. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you do not faint, then sit until you feel better.
Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery if you're feeling dizzy.
Feeling sleepy
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.
Headaches
Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. Talk to your doctor if the headaches do not go away or are severe.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 100 people.
Call a doctor or call 111 now if you have:
- a skin rash
- difficulty peeing
- changes in your eyesight
- muscle stiffness
- symptoms of low blood pressure, which include feeling dizzy and tired
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
- you have breathing difficulty or short, shallow breathing
- you have a fit or seizure
Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring all the medicines you take with you.
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to co-codamol.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Do not drive yourself to A&E.
The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.
Long-term side effects
If you've bought co-codamol 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-codamol for a long time, your body can become tolerant to the codeine in it. That means you need higher doses to control your pain over time.
Some people can become more 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 codeine in co-codamol. 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-codamol.
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.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of co-codamol. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.
Visit the Yellow Card website for more information about reporting side effects.