Codeine/paracetamol, also called codeine/acetaminophen and co-codamol, is a compound analgesic, comprising codeine phosphate and paracetamol (acetaminophen).
Codeine/paracetamol is used for the relief of mild to moderate pain when paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen) alone do not sufficiently relieve symptoms.
[2][3] In 2022, it was the 166th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 3 million prescriptions.
[9] Others include coughing up blood from the lungs, skin rashes, dizziness, sedation, shortness of breath, hypersensitivity reaction, fainting (syncope or near syncope), confusion, loss of short-term memory, changes in blood, allergic reactions, euphoria, dysphoria, abdominal pain, itchiness, easy bruising, bleeding gums, vivid dreams, dry mouth and addiction.
[11] Of the European Union member states, eleven allow over-the-counter sale of solid dosage forms of codeine, including codeine/paracetamol: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, and Slovenia.