The NHS has issued a warning over a common painkiller used by millions of people in the UK every yearRuth Suter, Neil Shaw Assistant Editor and Kathryn Riddell Multimedia Journalist
11:33, 28 Sep 2025
Person taking a painkiller pill(Image: Getty Images)
The NHS has issued a cautionary warning regarding a widely-used painkiller, taken by millions of Brits each year. Pharmacists distribute approximately 650,000 prescriptions of the drug annually to tens of millions.
While GPs provide guidance on the duration for which this potent painkiller should be taken – and pharmacists offer similar advice – those who have purchased co-codamol from a pharmacy have been advised against prolonged use of the drug. Co-codamol of lower strength can be bought from a pharmacy without a prescription.
It comes as the NHS also issued a warning to anyone taking a common medicine to relieve heartburn and indigestion.
As reported by the Mirror, the NHS warning reads: “If you’ve bought co-codamol from a pharmacy, do not use it for more than three 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.
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“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.”, reports the Daily Record.
“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.”
Co-codamol is subject to restrictions or outright bans in certain countries, primarily due to its codeine content, an opioid. The regulations vary based on local control of codeine.
In the USA, codeine is a controlled substance and co-codamol cannot be purchased over the counter. Similar restrictions are in place in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and some European nations.
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