See also Warning section.
This combination medication is used to help relieve mild
to moderate pain (such as headaches, muscle pain). It contains an opioid
pain reliever (codeine), a non-opioid pain reliever (acetaminophen), and
caffeine. Codeine works in the brain to change how your body feels and
responds to pain. Acetaminophen can also reduce a fever. Caffeine increases
pain relief, especially for certain types of headaches.
See also Warning section.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your
doctor, usually every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain. You may take this
drug with or without food. If you have nausea, it may help to take this
drug with food. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to decrease
nausea (such as lying down for 1 to 2 hours with as little head movement as
possible).
The dosage is based on your medical condition and
response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more
often or for longer than prescribed because your risk of side effects may
increase. Properly stop the medication when so directed.
Pain medications work best if they are used as the first
signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has worsened, the
medication may not work as well.
Suddenly stopping this medication may cause withdrawal,
especially if you have used it for a long time or in high doses. To prevent
withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Tell your doctor or
pharmacist right away if you have any withdrawal symptoms such as
restlessness, mental/mood changes (including anxiety, trouble sleeping,
thoughts of suicide), watering eyes, runny nose, nausea, diarrhea,
sweating, muscle aches, or sudden changes in behavior.
When this medication is used for a long time, it may not
work as well. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working
well.
Though it helps many people, this medication may
sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance
use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Take this
medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Ask your
doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Tell your doctor if your pain does not get better or if
it gets worse, or if redness/swelling occurs in the area of pain, or if you
have new symptoms such as a high fever or new pain, or if you have a
headache that doesn't go away.
See also Warning section.
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, lightheadedness,
dizziness, drowsiness, headache, increased urination, or trouble sleeping
may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or
pharmacist promptly.
To prevent constipation, eat dietary fiber, drink enough
water, and exercise. You may also need to take a laxative. Ask your
pharmacist which type of laxative is right for you.
To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get
up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- interrupted breathing during sleep (sleep apnea)
- mental/mood changes (such as irritability, nervousness,
anxiety, hallucinations)
- fast/irregular heartbeat
- stomach/abdominal pain
- difficulty urinating
- vision changes
- shaking (tremor)
- easy bruising/bleeding
- signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away,
fever)
- signs of your adrenal glands not working well (such as loss
of appetite, unusual tiredness, weight loss)
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
Codeine is changed into a strong opioid drug (morphine)
in your body. In some people, this change happens faster and more
completely than usual, which increases the risk of very serious side
effects. Get medical help right away if you notice any of the
following:
- slow/shallow breathing
- severe drowsiness/difficulty waking up
- confusion
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
See also Warning section.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to codeine, acetaminophen, or caffeine; or
to other opioid pain medications (such as morphine); or if you have any
other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can
cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for
more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- brain disorders (such as head injury, tumor, seizures)
- breathing problems (such as asthma, sleep apnea, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD)
- gallbladder disease
- heart problems (such as irregular heartbeat, recent heart
attack)
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- mental/mood disorders (such as confusion, depression,
thoughts of suicide)
- personal or family history of a substance use disorder (such
as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol)
- obesity
- stomach/intestinal problems (such as blockage, constipation,
diarrhea due to infection, paralytic ileus)
- disease of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- difficulty urinating (such as due to enlarged prostate)
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or
marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use
machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely.
Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
Before having surgery or certain medical procedures
(such as a heart stress test or a procedure to restore a normal heart
rhythm if you have an unusually fast heartbeat), tell your doctor or
dentist that you use this medication and about all the products you use
(including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal
products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects
of this drug, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, trouble
sleeping, and slow/shallow breathing.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. Discuss the risks and
benefits with your doctor.
This medication passes into breast milk and may have
undesirable effects on a nursing infant, such as unusual sleepiness,
difficulty feeding, trouble breathing, or unusual limpness. Consult your
doctor before breastfeeding.
See also Warning section.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug
include:
- certain pain medications (mixed opioid agonist-antagonists
such as butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine)
- naltrexone
- samidorphan
The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow
breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased if this medication
is taken with other products that may also cause drowsiness or breathing
problems. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products
such as other opioid pain or cough relievers (such as morphine,
hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety
(such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as
carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine,
diphenhydramine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy
or cough-and-cold products, pain relievers) because they may also contain
acetaminophen, caffeine, or ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your
pharmacist about using those products safely.
Other medications can affect the removal of this product
from your body, which may affect how this product works. Examples include
azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole), bupropion, fluoxetine,
levoketoconazole, macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), paroxetine,
quinidine, rifamycins (such as rifabutin, rifampin), ritonavir, certain
drugs used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), among
others.
Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing
caffeine (coffee, tea, colas) and eating large amounts of
chocolate.
This medication may interfere with certain medical/lab
tests (such as certain urine tests, amylase/lipase levels,
dipyridamole-thallium imaging tests), possibly causing false test results.
Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this
drug.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, give them naloxone if available, then
call 911. If the person is awake and has no symptoms, call a poison control
center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents
can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: slow/shallow
breathing, coma, seizures, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sweating,
stomach/abdominal pain, extreme tiredness, yellowing eyes/skin, dark
urine.
Do not share this medication with others. Sharing it is
against the law.
This medication has been prescribed for your current
condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless your
doctor directs you to do so. A different medication may be necessary in
that case.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.