Co-dydramol is a non-proprietary name used to denote a compound analgesic

Compound analgesic

A compound analgesic is an analgesic with more than one active ingredient. This includes many of the stronger prescription analgesics.Common active ingredients used in compound analgesics include:* aspirin* paracetemol * codeine or oxycodone...

, a combination of dihydrocodeine tartrate

Dihydrocodeine

Dihydrocodeine, also called DHC, Drocode, Paracodeine and Parzone and known by the brand names of Synalgos DC, Panlor DC, Panlor SS, Contugesic, New Bron Solution-ACE, Huscode, Drocode, Paracodin, Codidol, Didor Continus, Dicogesic, Codhydrine, Dekacodin, DH-Codeine,...

 and paracetamol

Paracetamol

Paracetamol INN , or acetaminophen USAN , is a widely used over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic . It is commonly used for the relief of headaches and other minor aches and pains and is a major ingredient in numerous cold and flu remedies...

. Co-dydramol tablets are used for the relief of moderate pain

Pain

Pain is an unpleasant sensation often caused by intense or damaging stimuli such as stubbing a toe, burning a finger, putting iodine on a cut, and bumping the "funny bone."...

. Co-dydramol is in fact part of a series of combination drugs available in the UK and other countries including Co-codaprin

Co-codaprin

Co-codaprin is a non-proprietary name used to denote a compound analgesic, a combination of codeine phosphate with aspirin.Co-codaprin tablets are used for mild to moderate pain.-Canada:...

 (aspirin

Aspirin

Aspirin , also known as acetylsalicylic acid , is a salicylate drug, often used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains, as an antipyretic to reduce fever, and as an anti-inflammatory medication. It was discovered by Arthur Eichengrun, a chemist with the German company Bayer...

 and codeine

Codeine

Codeine or 3-methylmorphine is an opiate used for its analgesic, antitussive, and antidiarrheal properties...

).

Formulation

All formulations of Co-dydramol contain 500 mg of paracetamol per tablet and may only be sold at a pharmacy as an over-the-counter item without prescription (a P medicine) if containing less than 7.5 mg of dihydrocodeine per tablet. Higher strengths are prescription only medicines. There are no GSL formulations of co-dydramol, as it is a Schedule 5 Controlled Drug

Controlled Drug

The United Kingdom Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 aimed to control the possession and supply of numerous listed drugs and drug-like substances as a controlled substance. The act allowed and regulated the use of some Controlled Drugs by various classes of persons The United Kingdom Misuse of Drugs Act...

. Four strengths of dihydrocodeine tartrate in each tablet are available:

• 7.46 mg dihydrocodeine in the brand Paramol.
• 10 mg dihydrocodeine, BAN of Co-dydramol 10/500, this is also the preparation to be dispensed if no strength is specified on a prescription.
• 20 mg dihydrocodeine, BAN of Co-dydramol 20/500 (branded product Remedeine).
• 30 mg dihydrocodeine, BAN of Co-dydramol 30/500 (branded product Remedeine forte).

Possible Side Effects

• Allergic reactions - skin rash or itchy skin, difficulty breathing, increased sweating, redness or flushed face, mucosal lesions (such as mouth ulcers), drug fever.
• Abdominal pain - may be caused by spasm of the bile ducts and inflammation of the liver or pancreas.
• Gastrointestinal system - stomach irritation (mild stomach pain, heartburn and feeling sick), constipation, feeling or being sick, loss of appetite, dry mouth, difficulty in passage of food through the gut.
• Blood - anaemia, changes in numbers and types of blood cells, nose bleeds, increased risk of infection, bruising.
• Urinary system - pain or difficulty in passing urine.
• Nervous system - confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, 'spinning' sensation, mood changes, depression, hallucinations, restlessness, excitation, fits, increased pressure in the skull (painful eyes, changes in vision), headache, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, reduced alertness. Tolerance or dependence.
• Eyes - blurred or double vision, extremely small pupils.
• Other - trembling, unusual tiredness or weakness, malaise, low body temperature, breathing difficulties, muscle stiffness, changes in sex drive.