Brufen Plus 200/12.8 (Ibuprofen And Codeine Phosphate Hemihydrate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Brufen Plus 200/12.8 Used For?
Brufen Plus 200/12.8 combines two pain-relieving medicines to provide effective relief from pain and inflammation. It contains ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory medicine) and codeine (an opioid pain reliever) that work together to manage your symptoms.
Primary Uses
Brufen Plus 200/12.8 is used to provide temporary relief of acute to moderate pain and inflammation in patients over 12 years of age.
How It Works
Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicines called NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) that work by relieving pain, inflammation (swelling, redness, soreness) and fever. Codeine is an opioid pain reliever that works in the brain and spinal cord to reduce pain. Your body processes codeine into morphine in the liver – about 8% of people may experience less pain relief as their body doesn’t convert codeine to morphine very well.
Age restriction: Do not give to children under 12 years of age
How to Take Brufen Plus 200/12.8
Take Brufen Plus 200/12.8 exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. The tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water and can be taken with or without food.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is 2 tablets initially, followed by 1 or 2 tablets every 4 hours if needed. Do not take more than 6 tablets in 24 hours. You should not take this medicine for more than 3 days at a time unless instructed by your doctor.
Duration of Treatment
This medicine should only be used for short-term pain relief. If your symptoms persist, worsen, or new symptoms develop after a few days, talk to your doctor.
Maximum dose: Never take more than 6 tablets in 24 hours
Duration limit: Do not use for more than 3 days without doctor’s advice
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 or vomiting
- Constipation
- Dizziness, light-headedness, drowsiness
- Stomach upset, heartburn, indigestion
- Diarrhea, stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Sleep problems, nightmares
- Mood changes, restlessness, irritability
- Dry mouth
- Shallow breathing
- Cough suppression
- Skin rash
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe breathing problems (slow, shallow, unusual or no breathing)
- Severe stomach pain or tenderness
- Vomiting blood or coffee-ground material
- Rectal bleeding, black stools, bloody diarrhea
- Allergic reactions (asthma, shortness of breath, swelling of face/lips/tongue, skin rash, fainting)
- Fast heartbeat
- Yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Blood in urine, changes in urination
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Signs of infection (fever, chills, sore throat)
- Severe dizziness or spinning sensation
- Eye problems (blurred vision, sore red eyes)
- Hearing problems, deafness, ringing in ears
Important Warnings
Brufen Plus 200/12.8 has several important safety warnings due to its opioid content and potential for serious side effects. Read all warnings carefully before use.
Who Should Not Take Brufen Plus 200/12.8
Do not use if you: are allergic to ibuprofen, codeine, other opioids, aspirin, or NSAIDs; are taking other NSAID medicines; are in the last 3 months of pregnancy; are breastfeeding; have stomach/duodenal ulcers; have ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease; have severe heart, liver or kidney failure; are an ultra-rapid CYP2D6 metabolizer; are taking MAOIs or stopped them within 14 days; are aged 12-18 with breathing problems or have had tonsils/adenoids removed; have vomiting blood, rectal bleeding, or black stools; have chronic constipation or severe diarrhea; have shallow breathing; or regularly consume large amounts of alcohol.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: breathing problems, asthma, allergies; history of drug or alcohol dependence; skin problems; stomach ulcers or recent stomach surgery; liver, kidney, heart, or thyroid problems; head injury or brain pressure; prostate problems; tendency for seizures; or if you’re over 65 years old.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not use during the last 3 months of pregnancy. Only use during the first 6 months if advised by your doctor. Do not use while breastfeeding unless advised by your doctor, as codeine passes into breast milk. If given during labor, it can cause breathing problems and withdrawal symptoms in newborns.
Addiction and Dependence Risks
You can become addicted to this medicine even when taken as prescribed. It may become habit-forming, causing mental and physical dependence. Your body may develop tolerance, requiring higher doses for the same effect. Withdrawal symptoms can occur if stopped suddenly.
Life-threatening breathing problems: Can cause fatal breathing problems even when used as recommended. Risk is higher when starting treatment, after dose increases, in older patients, or those with lung problems
Abuse and overdose risk: Poses risks of abuse, misuse and addiction which can lead to overdose and death
Drug Interactions
Many medicines can interact with Brufen Plus 200/12.8 and affect how it works or increase the risk of side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Dangerous combinations: Using with other drowsiness-causing medicines, alcohol, or certain antidepressants may result in severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma and death
- Sedatives, sleeping tablets, benzodiazepines
- Gabapentinoids (gabapentin, pregabalin)
- Aspirin, salicylates, other NSAIDs
- Blood thinners (warfarin, clopidogrel)
- Blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors, diuretics)
- Antidepressants (SSRIs, MAOIs)
- Antipsychotic medicines
- Other opioid pain medicines
- Methotrexate
- Lithium
- Steroids (prednisone, prednisolone)
- Diabetes medicines
- Epilepsy medicines (phenytoin)
- Heart rhythm medicines (quinidine)
Alcohol & Driving
Brufen Plus 200/12.8 can significantly impair your ability to drive safely and can have dangerous interactions with alcohol.
Alcohol
You must not drink alcohol while taking Brufen Plus 200/12.8. Combining this medicine with alcohol may result in severe dizziness, drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing difficulties, coma and death.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Brufen Plus 200/12.8 may cause dizziness, light-headedness or drowsiness. If you experience any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Storage
Store Brufen Plus 200/12.8 below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep tablets in their original pack until ready to use. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground is recommended. Take any unwanted or expired medicine to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you or someone else takes too much Brufen Plus 200/12.8, call triple zero (000) immediately for an ambulance. Overdose symptoms may include slow or difficult breathing, drowsiness or unconsciousness, slow heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, seizures, blurred vision, or ringing in the ears. Keep the person awake by talking to them or gently shaking them. You can also call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) for advice. Take this leaflet and remaining medicine with you when seeking medical help. Due to individual differences in how your body processes codeine, overdose symptoms can occur even when taking the recommended dose.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medicine starts working to relieve pain and inflammation after you take it, but the exact timing isn’t specified in the prescribing information. If your symptoms don’t improve after a few days, talk to your doctor.
Yes, you can take Brufen Plus 200/12.8 with food or on an empty stomach. Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water.
Yes, you can become addicted to Brufen Plus 200/12.8 even if you take it exactly as prescribed. It may become habit-forming and cause mental and physical dependence. This is why it should only be used for short periods (no more than 3 days) unless directed by your doctor.
If you stop taking this medicine suddenly, your pain may worsen and you may experience withdrawal symptoms including nervousness, restlessness, trouble sleeping, body aches, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, nausea, increased heart rate, watery eyes, runny nose, chills, and increased sweating.
No, you must not drink alcohol while taking Brufen Plus 200/12.8. Combining this medicine with alcohol may result in severe dizziness, drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing difficulties, coma and death.
Do not take other NSAID medicines, aspirin, or other opioid pain medicines while using Brufen Plus 200/12.8 unless specifically directed by your doctor. Many over-the-counter pain medicines contain these ingredients. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medicines.
This medicine is taken as needed for pain, so missing a dose isn’t typically a concern. Take your next dose when you need pain relief, but don’t take more than 6 tablets in 24 hours and maintain at least 4 hours between doses.
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.