The Department of Health and Social Care issued a notice this month that co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets will be in short supply between February to July 2026.
Co-codamol is a combination painkiller that contains paracetamol and codeine.
The drug is used to treat short-term, moderate pain including headaches, migraines and toothaches.
Brits warned over looming ‘shortage’ of common paracetamol and codeine pain relief meds
But this shortage will make it more difficult for patients to file prescriptions leading to a reliance on other pain management options.
Prescribers are being advised not to begin new patients on the drug, the NHS states.
Existing patients should also be switched to other alternatives such as paracetamol 500mg tablets which will remain available during this period.
The news is particularly concerning to patients who have been using the pain medication regularly as codeine is an opiate and is addictive, leaving NHS bosses giving advice to ensure patients’ treatments won’t abruptly end.
The North London Integrated Care Board warned: “Where insufficient supply to last until the re-supply date, prescribers should determine if treatment is still required, and if the decision is made to stop treatment, avoid abrupt cessation of therapy.”
And while alternative formulations and strengths will be available the increase in demand cannot fully be supported, the NHS warns.
To keep up to date with the ongoing issue, pharmacist teams have been sent a notification about the shortage.
They have also been given supporting information to help them aid patients through this period, The Pharmacist, the voice for UK community pharmacy, has revealed.
The Pharmacist spokesperson said: “Co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets will be in limited supply from early February until early June 2026, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has warned in a medicines supply notification.
“Paracetamol 500mg tablets remain available and can support a full uplift in demand. Codeine 30mg tablets can meet a partial increase, as can co-codamol 30mg/500mg capsules from mid-April.Â
“Co-codamol 30mg/500mg effervescent tablets remain available but cannot support additional demand.
“Other strengths and forms of co-codamol, and co-dydramol 30mg/500mg and 20mg/500mg tablets, also remain available but cannot support a demand uplift.”