Like all medicines, combined ibuprofen and codeine can cause side effects. But because you only take it for a very short time (up to 3 days), you're unlikely to have any side effects.
Common side effects of combined ibuprofen and codeine
These side effects of ibuprofen and codeine happen to more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Headaches
If you get headaches after taking combined ibuprofen and codeine, do not take any more and see if the headache goes away.
It might be better to try another painkiller, like paracetamol.
Talk to your doctor if the headaches do not go away or are severe.
Feeling dizzy
If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so you do not faint. If you feel dizzy when you stand up, try getting up very slowly or stay sitting down until you feel better. Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery while you feel like this.
Feeling sleepy
Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery if you're feeling drowsy. Do not drink any alcohol as this will make you feel more tired.
Constipation
Get more fibre into your diet, such as fresh fruit and 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 increase your level of exercise.
Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. It might help to take your ibuprofen and codeine with or just after a meal or snack. Feelings of sickness normally wear off.
If you're being sick, try small, frequent sips of water to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.
Do not take any other medicines to treat vomiting without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
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.
Indigestion and heartburn (acid reflux)
Stop taking the medicine and see your doctor as soon as possible. If you need something to ease the discomfort, try taking an antacid, but do not put off speaking to your pharmacist or doctor if the symptoms do not go away.
Wind
Try not to eat foods that cause wind (like lentils, beans and onions). Eat smaller meals, eat and drink slowly, and exercise regularly if you can.
There are pharmacy medicines that can also help, such as charcoal tablets or simeticone.
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
Stop taking the medicine and call a doctor or call 111 now if you have:
- difficulty breathing
- black poo or blood in your vomit – these can be signs of bleeding in your stomach
- swollen ankles, blood in your pee, or not peeing at all – these can be signs of a kidney problem
- asthma and your symptoms are getting worse
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- you have chest pain
- you have severe stomach pain – this can be a sign of a hole in your stomach
- you have severe difficulty breathing
Do not drive yourself to A&E.
The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to ibuprofen and codeine.
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
The ibuprofen in this medicine can cause ulcers in your stomach or gut, especially if you take it for a long time or in big doses. However, if you take it correctly, with food, for short periods of time, the risk is very low.
If you need to take it for a long time your doctor may also prescribe a medicine to help protect your stomach.
If you buy combined ibuprofen and codeine 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 combined ibuprofen and codeine for a long time, your body can get used to codeine (known as tolerance). 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 this medicine. For this reason, your dose will be reviewed to make sure you're only taking the amount you need to control your pain.
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 ibuprofen and codeine. 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.