To be a bit concerned about what the lady at the pharmacy said

[Lalalalas]

So My friend recommended co-codamol for period pains, since have had my coil put in, my periods have become so much more painful. I asked the lady behind the counter if they were good and she said "I don't know, I wouldn't take them if you paid me". What was the reason for this? now I dont know if I should take them.

Of course your pharmacist is worried, as a professional she knows that those contain codeïne and that's a derivate of morphine. They are great against pain, absolutely, but should be taken with care : they're both opium derivates and known as extremely addictive. Know that opium, morphine and codeine do nót take away any pain itself, they block the receptors telling your brain that you are in pain. They also make you feel good/better. So yes, take them if it's absolutely necessary, but please follow instructions from your pharmacist and/or GP. And yes, I have taken something similar for about 48 hours after a very traumatic and painfull dental procedure - under guidance of the surgeon and my own dentist.

I've bought OTC codeine loads of times. The conversation should go:

Have you taken them before?

Are you on any other medication?

They're only recommended for three days use.

If the first answer is no, it's reasonable to give a bit of information about the side effects. That should be it. Not personal opinions about them. It's unprofessional.

They are an opioid, which can be addictive. Very much a last resort painkiller imo

You used to be able to buy 32mg tablets with 500 of paracetamol from pharmacists. Now it's 8mg. I remember being given 64 odd once and it knocked me sideways. My body has a weird relationship with codeine.

Now, it is an opioid and therefore distantly related to opium and heroin and the opiates they give you when you break a bone or have surgery.

However the only side affects you are really likely to get are constipation and feeling a bit sleepy. It's amazing for period pain and Feminax used to contain quite a bit of codeine and be given to eleven year olds. Taking co-codamol is highly unlikely to turn you into a drug addict. My DC sometimes just takes one rather than two so that's also an option.

The lady in the pharmacy was clearly very ignorant about pharmacology.

I can't take codeine because they make me really dizzy and throw up so when I need pain relief I just take 2 paracetamol and 2 ibuprofen and it always works. If I'm having really bad period pains I take feminax with paracetamol it's the only thing that works.

Do u really not know any of this ? Not trying to be rude but boy you've lived in a bubble !'lots if over counter drugs can cause addiction otherwise there wouldn't be so many addicts ! They go from pharmacy to pharmacy to get their fix - that's why u can only buy a certain amount. Look into it ... I wonder if people that get addicted are like you - a bit oblivious at first . Everything in moderation is OK... if you don't follow instructions or over medicate of course it will be potentially dangerous

Paracetamol is bad for your liver, it used to be my go to painkiller. I didn't find anything worked as well even morphine post op. Now I'd rather use a tens machine and zen meditate. Of course you can do neither whilst doing anything else, so choose your poison wisely.

Good luck @Lalalalas I know what bad period pain is but since having a hysterectomy in 2012, I've never looked back.

They are opiate based that's why they are additictive but the ones ya can buy over the counter are very low dose. I used to take these all the time for a back injury when I was younger, I can't take them now 2 tablets and I am puking and sitting like a drug addict on the sofa.

As long as you take them short term and as you are meant to take them only ya will be just fine

Did you ask for the coil? From what I’m hearing doctors etc are pressurising people to have the coils as it’s so cheap. Lots of people suffering really badly after the coil was fitted. I’d have it taken out.

The lady behind the pharmacy counter is a shop assistant, not someone medically trained. Or she wouldn't be so irresponsibly and ignorantly opinionated. Ask to speak to the pharmacist. It could be because she's a vegan or because it can be potentially - but unlikely to become - addictive. Speak to someone who is medically educated.

No they don't go and buy it over the counter cause the 9aracetamol in the tablets would kill them long before they got any kind of buzz off them 😅😅😅

Jesus was that meant to be as spiteful as it sounded?

Speak to your GP if still painful periods. It can take a while to settle after a coil fit but best to get checked.

It’s perfectly fine to take PRN opiods short term from an addiction POV.

However I don’t think anyone who works with pain medication would use codeine. It’s a very poor analgesic. I simply never prescribe it; I know enough to have many many many better options.

I doubt the shop assistant who spoke inappropriately is an expert in analgesia.

They also cause constipation as such, they're also prescribed for frequent diarrhoea

It could be anything perhaps she has seen people suffer with addiction or because of side effects like vomiting etc.

Are you able to take Ibuprofen?

Potentially addictive and cause awful constipation.

On a side note, it sounds like the coil you have isn't the right one for you.

It's to do with the codeine in them, but OTC co-codamol doesn't contain much codeine. They may cause drowsiness (they certainly knock me out, but I'm a lightweight!) and the codeine may make you constipated (not something that has happened to me) They usually stress that they shouldn't be taken for more than 3 days at a time. Personally, I think the lady in the chemist was extremely unprofessional.
I was prescribed high strength co-codamol by my GP a while ago and have not become addicted or constipated and found them very effective.
Everyone is going to have a different opinion. It's for you to take everything into consideration and make your own decision. May be try them for one cycle and see how you get on.

Genuine question - are there good alternatives to codeine if you're NSAID intolerant? I have no problem taking co-codamol, no side effects other than feeling sleepy (on 30/500, maybe a little 'out of it' on occasion too at this dose), but since I can't take NSAIDs, there doesn't seem to be a lot else GPs are able to prescribe for more severe pain.

I also can't take NSAIDs and my GP has offered me codeine, dihydrocodeine, tramadol, or morphine.

I stick with codeine, mostly as it seems the best of a bad job.

Just for reference OTC co-codamol is 8mg of Codeine Phosphate (the potentially addictive opiate). The standard prescribed dose of Codeine Phosphate if you are in such severe pain such that over the counter medicine isn’t sufficient is 15-60mg 3-4 times a day - ideally not for more than 3 days unless you are terminally Ill. If you take 3 or 4 cocodamol for a day a few times a year you won’t get addicted.

I bloody love codeine. Makes me feel or fluffy and cosy. 30/500 knocks me out. I take it very occasionally- normally if I need to sleep. Three times a year max. I have also been known to take one before a Christmas shopping trip. Clearly not addicted and I have never had constipation!

If your periods have become that painful since having a coil, go back to your GP and insist on an alternative. Don't allow the patriarchal medical system hoodwink you into believing your quality of life is less important than cost/convenience.

Seems more appropriate to speak to your GP about changing your contraception than to end up in permanent pain and having to take strong painkillers.

It’s probably the codeine issue. I have recently broken a couple of ribs and the hospital prescribed codeine. I don’t get on with it at all. Slight hallucinations constipation and it’s an opioid so if I did like it might carry on taking it. Wasn’t professional of her to say that but they might be the reasons.