Aspalgin (Aspirin And Codeine Phosphate Hemihydrate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Aspalgin Used For?
Aspalgin is a combination pain medication that contains two active ingredients: aspirin and codeine phosphate hemihydrate. It’s designed to provide temporary relief from moderate pain while also reducing inflammation and fever.
Primary Uses
Aspalgin is used for the temporary relief of acute moderate pain, inflammation and fever.
How It Works
Aspirin belongs to a group of medicines called analgesics which block pain and also acts as an antipyretic to help reduce body temperature if you have a fever. Codeine phosphate hemihydrate is an opioid analgesic that works by blocking pain and your emotional response to pain.
Addiction Risk: You can become addicted to Aspalgin even if you take it exactly as prescribed. It may become habit forming causing mental and physical dependence.
How to Take Aspalgin
Always follow the directions given by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. The tablets must be dissolved in water before taking.
Dosage Instructions
For adults and children over 12 years: Take 2 tablets dissolved in water, every four hours or as directed. DO NOT take more than 8 tablets in one day. DO NOT give to children under 12 years unless on medical advice. Dissolve the tablets in a glass of water and swallow the entire contents.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it is less than 4 hours before your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose as this may increase the chance of unwanted side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- nausea (feeling sick)
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- indigestion
- stomach pain
- fever
- constipation
- dizziness
- low blood pressure
- lethargy
- drowsiness
- sweating
- skin rash
- runny nose
- deafness
- sleep apnoea
- sexual dysfunction
- absence of menstrual period
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, facial swelling
- low amniotic fluid during pregnancy
- chest pain
- difficulty swallowing
- severe upper abdominal pain possibly radiating to the back
- abdominal bloating and difficulty breathing
- Reye’s Syndrome (in children and teenagers)
Important Warnings
Aspalgin has several important safety warnings that you need to be aware of before taking this medication.
Who Should Not Take Aspalgin
Do not take if you are allergic to aspirin, codeine phosphate hemihydrate or any ingredients; have a stomach ulcer; are in the third trimester of pregnancy; or if the medication has expired. Do not give to children under 12 years unless prescribed. Do not give to children or teenagers with viral illness (influenza or chicken pox) or fever. Do not give to children aged 12-18 years with compromised respiratory function, including after tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy for obstructive sleep apnoea.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: liver disease or hepatitis, kidney disease, peptic ulcer, gastrointestinal tract disorders, asthma, bleeding disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreas inflammation, bile duct disorders, adrenal gland disorders, sleep apnoea, are a heavy drinker or drug user, are having surgery, recently had gastrointestinal or urinary tract surgery, or had a recent head injury.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take if you are in the third trimester of pregnancy. Taking anti-inflammatory medicines like Aspalgin from 20 weeks of pregnancy may increase the risk of low amniotic fluid and kidney disease in the baby. Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine as the active ingredients pass into breast milk and may affect your baby.
Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression: Aspalgin can cause life-threatening or fatal breathing problems, even when used as recommended. Risk is higher when first starting, after dose increases, in older patients, or those with existing lung problems.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Aspalgin and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Dangerous Combinations: Taking Aspalgin with other medicines that cause drowsiness may result in severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma and death.
- medicines used to treat inflammation such as aspirin
- medicines used to treat epilepsy
- medicines used to treat gout
- diuretics
- hypnotics, sedatives or phenothiazines
- sleeping tablets (e.g. benzodiazepines)
- other pain relievers
- antihistamines
- antidepressants
- antipsychotics
- gabapentinoids (e.g. gabapentin and pregabalin)
- cannabis
Alcohol & Driving
Aspalgin can affect your ability to drive safely and you must not drink alcohol while taking this medication.
Alcohol
You must not drink alcohol while taking Aspalgin. Combining alcohol with this medication can worsen dizziness and light-headedness and may result in severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma and death.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Aspalgin affects you. This medicine may cause nausea, vomiting, constipation, drowsiness, and dizziness. If you experience any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Storage
Keep tablets in the original pack until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place where temperature stays below 25°C. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, on a window sill or in the car as heat and dampness can destroy the medicine. Keep where children cannot reach – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above ground is recommended.
Overdose Information
If you or someone else takes too much Aspalgin, immediately call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Overdose symptoms may include slow, unusual or difficult breathing, drowsiness, dizziness or unconsciousness, slow or weak heartbeat, nausea or vomiting, convulsions or fits. Other signs can include problems with the nervous system caused by damage to brain white matter. You can also phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) for advice. Depending on your body’s ability to break down codeine, you may experience overdose signs even when taking Aspalgin as recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source doesn’t specify exact onset time, but Aspalgin is designed for temporary relief of acute moderate pain and should be taken every four hours as needed.
Yes, it does not matter if you take this medicine before or after food. However, the tablets must be dissolved in water before taking.
Yes, you can become addicted to Aspalgin even if you take it exactly as prescribed. It may become habit forming causing mental and physical dependence, and your body may develop tolerance requiring more medication for the same effect.
If you stop taking Aspalgin suddenly, your pain may worsen and you may experience withdrawal symptoms including nervousness, restlessness, body aches, loss of appetite, nausea, increased heart rate, watery eyes, runny nose, chills and increased sweating.
No, you must not drink alcohol while taking Aspalgin. Combining alcohol with this medication may result in severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma and death.
Elderly patients are more likely to have less effective kidney or liver function due to age, which may increase the risk of side effects. If you are over 65 years, you may have an increased chance of getting side effects and should discuss dosing with your doctor.
If it’s less than 4 hours before your next dose, skip the missed dose. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.