Can I take cocodamol if I have already had paracetamol?

[DumbledoresGirl]

Anyone, please?

[DumbledoresGirl]

Oh no.

I only had one paracetamol (max dose is 2) and it was about 90 mins ago. Also, I don't have the cocodamol yet - dh has gone to get the prescriptioin and will be at least another half an hour. So in that situation would it be ok, or should I wait until 4 hours hve elapsed since I took the paracetamol?

[ephrinedaily]

No cocodamol contains paracetamol.

[emmabemmasmom]

If you have already had paracetamol then no. My pack of co-codamol says not to. However, if at has passed 4-6 hours since you took the paracetamol then you are ok. Just not both at the same time.

[DumbledoresGirl]

Not even if I only took a half dose of paracetamol? Oh bugger The pain has got a lot worse since I took the one tablet. I am wishing I had taken 2 now.

I do have ibuprofen, but the doctor prescribed cocodamol so here I am rather naively trusting that cocodamol is what will help me most.

[lilymolly]

max dose of paracetamol every 4 hours is 500mg I think, so if you only took 1 paracetamol tablet, then you should be able to take one co codamol, as this should only contain 250mg paracetamol, plus codeine.

I would also take the ibuprofen, as this works differently and will help ease the pain

[DumbledoresGirl]

Thanks everyone. Knowing that the max dose every 4 hours is 500mg is particularly helpful. I will work out something from that.

My pain is caused by inflammation. Is ibuprofen going to be any good for that? I am totally confused as to which painkiller is best for which condition.

[lilymolly]

Ibuprofen is the BEST pain killer for inflammation as it is an anti inflamatory......as is diclofenic, volatarol etc.....paracetamol is ant anti piretic (reduces fever) although it still blocks pain impulses so is not as effective for inflammation.
HTH

[Saltire]

You can buy Votarol over the counter at a chemist, but if you take anti infalmmatorys, take them with food.

[megcleary]

the max dose is 1gram every 4-6 hours

[DumbledoresGirl]

Thanks again. So if I take ibuprofen, I need to eat with it? Sorry if I am asking what has already been said. Really not thinking straight at the moment

[megcleary]

eat or a glas of milk

[Saltire]

Well you don't need to, but it does help as Ibuprofen can upset the stomach. DH can't take it as he has an ulcer.