The need to remove the feeling of intense pain can lead people to take co-codamol at increased levels, as described in this co-codamol addiction blog. It is entirely possible to overdose on co-codamol and doing so can cause serious damage to the liver and kidneys. Of course, alcohol increases the risk of liver damage if an overdose of co-codamol occurs and persistent heavy drinkers are at a greater risk.
You must ensure that co-codamol is completely out of your system before drinking alcohol. It is best to check with your doctor, pharmacist or a medical professional on this and other information about taking your medication correctly.
Also, beware that certain cough and cold remedies may contain alcohol. Mouthwash may also contain alcohol. Nothing containing alcohol should be used at the same time as co-codamol. In a recent high-profile example, Ant McPartlin one half of Ant and Dec revealed how he turned to prescription drugs after a troubled operation on his knee back in Initially I was prescribed co-codamol, codeine, the normal stuff you would get, and then a lot of opium-based stuff.
After being told by his doctor that he was taking his life into his own hands, McPartlin sought help. We provide treatment through a network of clinics and professionals in the United Kingdom. BMC Geriatrics, 17 1 , Statins — Interactions. Alcohol and medication interactions. Alcohol and the immune system. Alcohol research: Current Reviews, 37 2 , Home Facts Health effects of alcohol Lifestyle Is it ok to drink while on medication?
Is it OK to drink while on medication? The facts about drinking alcohol and taking medication. On this page. Alcohol and antibiotics You should not drink alcohol with certain types of antibiotics, like metronidazole and tinidazole.
Alcohol and painkillers Drinking small amounts of alcohol with painkillers that can be bought over the counter, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, is unlikely to cause any problems. When to avoid drinking alcohol with medication Sedative drugs: People taking benzodiazepines, including diazepam Valium , or anti-histamines that have a sedative effect, should avoid alcohol altogether.
Talk to your doctor if you're worried about addiction. They can also help you stop taking it safely and reduce withdrawal symptoms. You're not recommended to take co-codamol for longer than 3 days if you buy it from a pharmacy. You're able to take co-codamol for longer if your doctor prescribes it for you. If you take co-codamol for a long time your body can become tolerant to it. That means you need higher doses to control your pain.
For this reason your doctor will usually review your treatment regularly. If you've been taking co-codamol for a long time and need to stop taking it, you can prevent withdrawal symptoms by reducing your dose gradually.
Your doctor can help you do this. Yes, there are other painkillers you can try. Some painkillers work better than others for certain types of pain. For example, the best painkiller to ease your headache may not be the best one for your backache.
Before taking co-codamol, try taking paracetamol to see if that helps your pain. Paracetamol can relieve most types of pain. Painkillers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen and naproxen , can reduce inflammation as well as pain.
These are good for joint, back and muscular pain. This includes people with stomach ulcers or severe heart, kidney or liver problems. It's best to stop drinking alcohol during the first few days of treatment until you see how co-codamol affects you.
Drinking alcohol while you're taking co-codamol can make you feel more sleepy. It can also increase the risk of serious side effects. If you feel sleepy with co-codamol, stop drinking alcohol while you're taking it. Do not drive a car or ride a bike or use tools or machinery if co-codamol makes you sleepy, gives you blurred vision or makes you feel dizzy, clumsy or unable to concentrate or make decisions.
This may be more likely when you first start taking co-codamol but could happen at any time — for example when starting another medicine. It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected.
It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive. If you're in any doubt, do not drive. Even if your ability to drive is not affected, the police have the right to request a saliva sample to check how much co-codamol is in your body. UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's safe for you to drive while taking co-codamol. Apart from avoiding alcohol, you can eat and drink normally while taking co-codamol. Co-codamol does not affect any type of contraception, including the combined pill or emergency contraception.
However, if co-codamol makes you vomit for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Look on the pill packet to find out what to do. Read more about what to do if you're on the pill and you're being sick or have diarrhoea. If you're taking co-codamol for a maximum of 3 days and at normal doses, there's no clear evidence that it can reduce fertility in either men or women. However, if you take high doses of co-codamol for a long time, there's a very small risk it can temporarily reduce fertility in men and women.
It can cause a health problem called hypogonadism. Hypogonadism is where the body does not make enough sex hormones. This can make it more difficult for you to conceive. If you're worried about taking co-codamol for longer than 3 days, and how this may affect your fertility, talk to your doctor.
If you take recreational drugs, such as cannabis, cocaine and heroin, while you're taking co-codamol, you're more likely to get the serious side effects of the codeine in co-codamol.
These include breathing difficulties, heart problems, fits and even going into a coma. Some recreational drugs, such as cannabis, also increase common codeine side effects such as sleepiness and dizziness. Taking heroin while you're on prescribed co-codamol is particularly dangerous. You're more likely to get all the side effects of the codeine in co-codamol, including addiction. Page last reviewed: 3 September Next review due: 3 September Co-codamol for adults On this page About co-codamol for adults Key facts Who can and cannot take co-codamol How and when to take co-codamol Taking co-codamol with other painkillers Side effects How to cope with side effects of co-codamol Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions about co-codamol.
It is usually safe to drink a moderate amount of alcohol no more than the daily guideline of alcohol units if you are taking a painkiller that can be bought over the counter such as paracetamol or ibuprofen; providing you get relevant advice. It is not recommended to drink alcohol if you are taking a prescription-only painkiller such as tramadol or codeine. Doing so could increase side effects such as drowsiness. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are available without a prescription.
Drinking a small amount of alcohol while taking paracetamol or ibuprofen is usually safe. Paracetamol should be used with caution if you have certain health conditions, such as liver problems. A GP or pharmacist can advise you.
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