Co-Codamol 15/500 Tablets
SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Co-codamol 15/500 Tablets.
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each tablet contains 500mg paracetamol and 15mg codeine phosphate hemihydrate.
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Tablet
Co-codamol 15/500 Tablets are white to off-white capsule-shaped tablets, marked PRO 15 and scored on one side with a plain reverse.
4.1 Therapeutic indications
For the relief of moderate pain.
Codeine is indicated in patients older than 12 years of age for the treatment of acute moderate pain which is not considered to be relieved by other analgesics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (alone).
4.2 Posology and method of administration Posology
Adults and children aged 16 and over:
Two tablets, to be taken every four hours as required, up to a maximum of eight tablets in any 24-hour period.
Elderly:
The adult dose is appropriate (please refer to section 4.4 for additional information on elderly patients).
Paediatric population Aged 12 to 15 years:
One tablet, to be taken every four hours as required, up to a maximum of four tablets in any 24-hour period.
Children aged less than 12 years: Codeine should not be used in children below the age of 12 years because of the risk of opioid toxicity due to the variable and unpredictable metabolism of codeine to morphine (see section 4.3 and 4.4).
Method of administration
For oral administration. The tablets are to be taken whole.
4.3 Contraindications
• Hypersensitivity to the active substances or any of the other excipients listed in section 6.1.
• Conditions where morphine and opioids are contraindicated e.g., acute asthma, respiratory depression, acute alcoholism, head injuries, raised intra-cranial pressure, hepatocellular insufficiency and following biliary tract surgery; monoamine oxidase inhibitor therapy, concurrent or within 14 days.
• In all paediatric patients (0-18 years of age) who undergo tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome due to an increased risk of developing serious and life-threatening adverse reactions (see section 4.4)
• In women during breastfeeding (see section 4.6)
• In patients for whom it is known they are CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolisers
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Care should be observed in administering the product to any patient, whose condition may be exacerbated by opioids, including the elderly, who may be sensitive to their central and gastro-intestinal effects, those on concurrent CNS depressant drugs, those with prostatic hypertrophy and those with inflammatory or obstructive bowel disorders, Addison’s disease or myasthenia gravis. Care should also be observed if prolonged therapy is contemplated.
CYP2D6 metabolism
Codeine is metabolised by the liver enzyme CYP2D6 into morphine, its active metabolite. If a patient has a deficiency or is completely lacking this enzyme an adequate analgesic effect will not be obtained. Estimates indicate that up to 7% of the Caucasian population may have this deficiency. However, if the patient is an extensive or ultra-rapid metaboliser there is an increased risk of developing side effects of opioid toxicity even at commonly prescribed doses. These patients convert codeine into morphine rapidly resulting in higher than expected serum morphine levels.
General symptoms of opioid toxicity include confusion, somnolence, shallow breathing, small pupils, nausea, vomiting, constipation and lack of appetite. In severe cases this may include symptoms of circulatory and respiratory depression, which may be life-threatening and very rarely fatal. Estimates of prevalence of ultra-rapid metabolisers in different populations are summarised below:
|
Population |
Prevalence % |
|
African/Ethiopian |
29% |
|
African American |
3.4% to 6.5% |
|
Asian |
1.2% to 2% |
|
Caucasian |
3.6% to 6.5% |
|
Greek |
6.0% |
|
Hungarian |
1.9% |
|
Northern European |
1%-2% |
Post-operative use in children
There have been reports in the published literature that codeine given postoperatively in children after tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy for obstructive sleep apnoea, led to rare, but life-threatening adverse events including death (see also section 4.3). All children received doses of codeine that were within the appropriate dose range; however there was evidence that these children were either ultra-rapid or extensive metabolisers in their ability to metabolise codeine to morphine.
Children with compromised respiratory function
Codeine is not recommended for use in children in whom respiratory function might be compromised including neuromuscular disorders, severe cardiac or respiratory conditions, upper respiratory or lung infections, multiple trauma or extensive surgical procedures. These factors may worsen symptoms of morphine toxicity.
Care is advised in the administration of paracetamol to patients with severe renal or severe hepatic impairment. The hazards of overdose are greater in those with alcoholic liver disease.
Patients should be advised not to exceed the recommended dose and not take other paracetamol-containing products concurrently.
The risk-benefit of continued use should be assessed regularly by the prescriber.
The leaflet will state in a prominent position in the 'before taking' section:
• Do not take for longer than directed by your prescriber
• 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.
The label will state (To be displayed prominently on outer pack - not boxed):
• Do not take for longer than directed by your prescriber as taking codeine regularly for a long time can lead to addiction.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
The effects of CNS depressants (including other opioid analgesics, tranquilisers, sedative hypnotics and alcohol) may be potentiated by codeine. When such therapy is contemplated, the dose of one or both agents should be reduced.
Concurrent use of MAO inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants with codeine may increase the effect of either the antidepressant or codeine.
Concurrent use of anticholinergics and codeine may produce paralytic ileus.
Isoniazid may increase the risk of hepatotoxicity with therapeutic doses of paracetamol. Antiepileptics, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and primidone can reduce the effects of paracetamol and increase the risk of hepatotoxicity.
Paracetamol may increase the elimination half-life of chloramphenicol. Oral contraceptives may increase its rate of clearance. The speed of absorption of paracetamol may be increased by metoclopramide or domperidone and absorption reduced by cholestyramine.
The anticoagulant effect of warfarin and other coumarins may be enhanced by prolonged regular use of paracetamol with increased risk of bleeding; occasional doses have no significant effect.
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
There is inadequate evidence of the safety of codeine in human pregnancy, but there is epidemiological evidence for the safety of paracetamol. Animal studies with paracetamol and with codeine do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3).
As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of co-codamol during pregnancy.
Lactation
Paracetamol is excreted in breast milk but not in a clinically significant amount.
Codeine should not be used during breastfeeding (see section 4.3).At normal therapeutic doses codeine and its active metabolite may be present in breast milk at very low doses and is unlikely to adversely affect the breast fed infant. However, if the patient is an ultra-rapid metaboliser of CYP2D6, higher levels of the active metabolite, morphine, may be present in breast milk and on very rare occasions may result in symptoms of opioid toxicity in the infant, which may be fatal.
Fertility
There are no data on the effects of co-codamol on human fertility. Fertility was unaffected following paracetamol or codeine treatment in animal studies (see section 5.3).
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Patients should be advised not to drive or operate machinery if affected by dizziness or sedation.
4.8 Undesirable effects
• Regular prolonged use of codeine is known to lead to addiction and tolerance. Symptoms of restlessness and irritability may result when treatment is then stopped.
• Prolonged use of a painkiller for headaches can make them worse.
The information below lists reported adverse reactions, ranked using the following frequency classification:
Very common (>1/10); common (>1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (>1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (>1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
Blood and the lymphatic system
Not known: blood dyscrasias including thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis Immune system disorders
Not known: anaphylactic shock, angioedema, allergic reactions (hypersensitivity) including skin rash
Hepatobiliary disorders
Not known: cytolytic hepatitis, which may lead to acute hepatic failure Nervous system disorders
Not known: dizziness, light-headedness, confusion, drowsiness Ear and labyrinth disorders
Not known: ototoxicity leading to sensorineural hearing loss.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Not known: pancreatitis, constipation, nausea, vomiting
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Very rare cases of serious skin reactions have been reported.
Renal and urinary disorders Not known: urinary retention
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product.
Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
4.9 Overdose
Paracetamol
Liver damage is possible in adults who have taken 10g or more of paracetamol. Ingestion of 5g or more of paracetamol may lead to liver damage if the patient has risk factors (see below).
Risk factors If the patient:
• is on long term treatment with carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, phenytoin, primidone, rifampicin, St. John’s Wort or other drugs that induce liver enzymes, or
• regularly consumes ethanol in excess of recommended amounts, or
• is likely to be glutathione deplete e.g. eating disorders, cystic fibrosis, HIV infection, starvation, cachexia.
Symptoms
Symptoms of paracetamol overdosage in the first 24 hours are pallor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain. Liver damage may become apparent 12 to 48 hours after ingestion. Abnormalities of glucose metabolism and metabolic acidosis may occur. In severe poisoning, hepatic failure may progress to encephalopathy, haemorrhage, hypoglycaemia, cerebral oedema and death. Acute renal failure with acute tubular necrosis, strongly suggested by loin pain, haematuria and proteinuria may develop even in the absence of severe liver damage. Cardiac arrhythmias and pancreatitis have been reported.
Management
Immediate treatment is essential in the management of paracetamol overdose. Despite a lack of significant early symptoms, patients should be referred to hospital urgently for immediate medical attention. Symptoms may be limited to nausea or vomiting and may not reflect the severity of overdose or the risk of organ damage. Management should be in accordance with established treatment guidelines (see BNF overdose section).
Treatment with activated charcoal should be considered if the overdose has been taken within 1 hour. Plasma paracetamol concentration should be measured at 4 hours or later after ingestion (earlier concentrations are unreliable). Treatment with N-acetylcysteine may be used up to 24 hours after ingestion of paracetamol, however, the maximum protective effect is obtained up to 8 hours post-ingestion. The effectiveness of the antidote declines sharply after this time. If required the patient should be given intravenous N-acetylcysteine, in line with the established dosage schedule. If vomiting is not a problem, oral methionine may be a suitable alternative for remote areas, outside hospital. Management of patients who present with serious hepatic dysfunction beyond 24h from ingestion should be discussed with the National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) or a liver unit.
Codeine
The effects in overdosage will be potentiated by simultaneous ingestion of alcohol and psychotropic drugs.
Symptoms
Central nervous system depression, including respiratory depression, may develop but is unlikely to be severe unless other sedative agents have been coingested, including alcohol, or the overdose is very large. The pupils may be pinpoint in size; nausea and vomiting are common. Hypotension and tachycardia are possible but unlikely.
Management
This should include general symptomatic and supportive measures including a clear airway and monitoring of vital signs until stable. Consider activated charcoal if an adult presents within one hour of ingestion of more than 350mg or a child more than 5mg/kg.
Give naloxone if coma or respiratory depression is present. Naloxone is a competitive antagonist and has a short half-life so large and repeated doses may be required in a seriously poisoned patient. Observe for at least four hours after ingestion, or eight hours if a sustained release preparation has been taken.
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Paracetamol, combinations excl. Psycholeptics ATC Code: N02B E51
Paracetamol is an analgesic which acts peripherally, probably by blocking impulse generation at the bradykinin sensitive chemo-receptors which evoke pain. Although it is a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, the synthetase system in the CNS rather than the periphery appears to be more sensitive to it. This may explain paracetamol's lack of appreciable anti-inflammatory activity. Paracetamol also exhibits antipyretic activity.
Codeine is a centrally acting weak analgesic. Codeine exerts its effects through p opioid receptors, although codeine has low affinity for these receptors, and its analgesic effect is due to its conversion to morphine. Codeine, particularly in combination with other analgesics such as paracetamol, has been shown to be effective in acute nociceptive pain.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Paracetamol is rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Concentration in plasma reaches a peak in 30-60 minutes. Plasma half-life is 1-4 hours. Paracetamol is relatively uniformly distributed throughout most body fluids, plasma protein binding is variable.
Codeine phosphate is well absorbed after oral administration and is widely distributed. About 86% is excreted in the urine in 24 hours; 40-70% if free or conjugated morphine, 5-15% is free or conjugated norcodeine.
The bioavailabilities of paracetamol and codeine, when given as the combination, are similar to those when they are given separately.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenic potential, toxicity to reproduction and development.
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Pregelatinised starch
Maize starch
Povidone
Potassium sorbate
Microcrystalline cellulose
Stearic acid
Purified Talc
Magnesium stearate
Croscarmellose sodium (type A)
6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable
6.3 Shelf life
2 years.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
PVC (250^m)/20^m Aluminium child resistant foil / 15^m PVC blister packs Or
PVC (250pm)/35gsm glassine/9pm Aluminium child resistant foil blister packs
Pack sizes: 100 tablets.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal
No special requirements
7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Winthrop Pharmaceuticals UK Limited
One Onslow Street
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 4YS
United Kingdom
Trading as: Zentiva, One Onslow Street, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4YS
8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
PL 17780/0500
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
24/08/2011
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
20/11/2014