Common questions about co-codamol for children

Co-codamol contains paracetamol and codeine. 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. It also reduces a high temperature by affecting the chemical messengers in an area of your brain that controls body temperature.

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

When codeine blocks the pain receptors, there can be other unwanted effects, for example slow and shallow breathing. It can also slow down digestion, which is why codeine can cause constipation.

Co-codamol takes up to 1 hour to work. It keeps on working for about 5 hours.

If you've bought co-codamol from a pharmacy, do not give it to your child for more than 3 days. If your child's pain has not gone away, talk to a pharmacist or doctor.

If your child needs to take co-codamol for a long time their body can become tolerant to the codeine in it. That means they may need higher doses to control their pain.

Some people can become more sensitive to pain (hyperalgesia). If this happens, your child's doctor will reduce the dose gradually to help these symptoms.

It's possible to become addicted to the codeine in co-codamol. For this reason, your child's dose will be reviewed to make sure they are only taking the amount they need to control their pain.

Your child's treatment plan may include details of how and when they will stop taking co-codamol.

If they're having treatment for cancer pain or other severe pain, their pain control will be carefully monitored. Speak to your doctor if you're worried about tolerance, hyperalgesia or becoming addicted.

If your child takes co-codamol regularly for a long time, they can become addicted to the codeine in it.

They're unlikely to become addicted if you follow your doctor's advice carefully about how long to take it for.

If you have bought co-codamol at a pharmacy, follow the instructions that come with the medicine and only give it to your child for up to 3 days at a time. If your child's pain is not better after 3 days, it's important to ask your doctor for advice about further pain relief.

If your child is addicted to the codeine in co-codamol, they may find it difficult to stop taking it or feel they need to take it more often than necessary.

If your child stops taking codeine suddenly they may get withdrawal symptoms.

These can include:

• feeling agitated or anxious
• panic attacks
• feeling their heartbeat (palpitations)
• difficulty sleeping
• shaking
• sweating
• body aches
• feeling restless

Talk to your child's doctor if you:

• are worried about addiction
• need help with addiction
• want them to stop taking codeine

Yes, there are other painkillers they can try.

Some painkillers work better than others for certain pains. For example, the best painkiller to ease a headache may not be the best one for backache.

Before giving your child co-codamol, try paracetamol to see if that helps the pain. Paracetamol can relieve most types of pain.

Painkillers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can reduce swelling (inflammation) as well as pain. These are good for cold symptoms and aches and pains after an injury like a sprain.

However, NSAIDs are not suitable for some children. This includes children with asthma, stomach ulcers or severe heart, kidney or liver problems. If you would like your child to try NSAIDs speak to a pharmacist or doctor.

Never give aspirin to a child younger than 16 years old unless it's prescribed by their doctor. There's a possible link between aspirin and Reye's syndrome in children. Reye's syndrome is a very rare illness that can cause serious liver and brain damage.

Co-codamol can make children feel sleepy or dizzy. If this happens, do not let them ride a bike until they feel better.

They can eat and drink normally while taking co-codamol.