patient information leaflet boots aspirin & codeine tablets bp

PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

Boots Aspirin & Codeine Tablets BP

Please read this leaflet carefully. It contains important information for you.

Keep this leaflet you may need it again
Ask your pharmacist if you need more advice
This medicine is for minor conditions, if symptoms do not get better in 3 days see your doctor or pharmacist

What this medicine is for

This product belongs to a group of medicines called analgesics, which act to relieve pain and reduce fever and inflammation. It can be used for headache, migraine, toothache, rheumatic pains, neuralgia, period pain and to relieve the symptoms of colds & flu.

Before you take this medicine

These tablets can be taken by adults and children from the age of 16 years. However, some people should not take this medicine or should seek the advice of their pharmacist or doctor first.

If you need to use this medicine for more than three days at a time, see your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional
Taking codeine regularly for a long time can lead to addiction, which might cause you to feel restless and irritable when you stop the tablets
Taking a painkiller for headaches too often or for too long can make them worse

Do not take:

If you are allergic to any of the ingredients
If you have ever had a bad reaction after taking aspirin or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. asthma, swelling of the lips or face, itchy skin, runny nose
If you have a stomach ulcer, or have had one
If you have severe problems with: your liver or kidneys, your breathing
If you have: a blood clotting disorder, gout, head injury, increased or raised pressure in the head, alcoholism
If you have a bowel or abdominal problem, or have had one (unless your doctor agrees)
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor:

If you have mild liver or kidney problems (see above)
If you have an underactive thyroid, low blood pressure, breathing problems, convulsive disorders
If you are in shock, or have bowel disease, myasthenia gravis, or hormone imbalance
If you have asthma, allergic disease, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, are dehydrated or are elderly
If you are a man with prostate problems
If you take other medicines - methotrexate, blood thinners (e.g warfarin), oral antidiabetic drugs, steroids, mexiletine, sedatives, sleeping tablets, tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazine tranquillisers, metoclopramide, domperidone, probenecid, sulphinpyrazone

Do not drive or use machines if you feel drowsy or dizzy after taking this medicine.

Do not drink alcohol (wine, beer, spirits) whilst taking this medicine.

There is an association between aspirin and Reye's syndrome when given to children. Reye's syndrome is a very rare disease, which can be fatal. For this reason aspirin should not be given to children aged under 16 years, unless on the advice of a doctor.

How to take this medicine

Check that the cap seal is not broken before first use. Discard the tablets if it is.

Adults and children 16 and over: one or two tablets every 4 hours, if needed, up to a maximum of 8 tablets in 24 hours.

Swallow the tablets with a glass of water.

Do not give to children under 16 years.

Do not take more than the dose recommended above.

If you take too many tablets, talk to a doctor straight away. Take your medicine with you.

If symptoms persist consult your doctor.

Possible side effects

Most people will not have problems but some may get some of these.

If you get any of these, stop taking the tablets. See a doctor at once:

You have black tarry stools, severe stomach pain, are sick and there is blood in it
Rash, swelling of the face, runny nose, tight chest, wheezing (symptoms of a severe allergic reaction)

These other effects may not bother you. If they do, talk to a pharmacist.

Indigestion, feeling sick, being sick, constipation, abdominal pain
Increased bleeding time if you cut yourself
Drowsiness, dizziness - do not drive or use machines if you feel drowsy or dizzy
Confusion, restlessness, changes in mood, headache, hallucinations
Fast, slow or irregular heartbeat, fainting on standing up, low body temperature
A feeling of discomfort, reduced sex drive, impotence
Dry mouth, sweating, facial flushing, difficulty in passing urine, itchy skin
Difficulty focusing, difficulty breathing
Rarely, liver problems, water retention and worsening of existing kidney problems
Sodium metabisulphite (E223) may rarely cause severe allergic reactions and difficulty breathing

If any side effect becomes severe, or if you notice any side effect not listed here, please tell your pharmacist or doctor.

How to store this medicine

Do not use this medicine after the "Use By" date on the label and keep it in the original pack.

Keep this medicine in a safe place out of the sight and reach of children, preferably in a locked cupboard.

What is in this medicine

Each tablet contains Aspirin 400 mg, Codeine Phosphate 8 mg, which are the active ingredients.

Also contains: Maize starch, sodium metabisulphite (E223).

This pack contains 32 tablets.

Medicine: boots aspirin & codeine tablets bp