The NHS has issued a stark warning regarding a widely-used painkiller taken by millions across Britain annually.
Tens of millions of co-codamol prescriptions are dispensed each year, with chemists alone distributing 650,000 prescriptions on top of those authorised by GPs.
Whilst a GP will advise you on the duration for taking this potent painkiller – and pharmacists will offer similar guidance – anyone purchasing co-codamol from a chemist has been cautioned against prolonged use.
Low-strength co-codamol can be purchased from a pharmacy without requiring a prescription.
The NHS warning declares: “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.”
“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.”
Co-codamol faces restrictions or outright bans in certain countries, primarily due to its codeine content, which is an opioid. Regulations differ based on local codeine controls.
In the USA, codeine is classified as a controlled substance and co-codamol cannot be purchased over the counter. Similar limitations exist in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and various European nations.