Comfarol Forte (Paracetamol And Codeine Phosphate Hemihydrate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Comfarol Forte Used For?
Comfarol Forte is a strong pain medication that combines two active ingredients to provide effective relief for severe pain conditions.
Primary Uses
Comfarol Forte is used to relieve severe pain for which other treatment options have failed, are contraindicated, not tolerated, or are otherwise inappropriate to provide sufficient management of pain.
How It Works
Paracetamol and codeine work together to stop the pain messages from getting through to the brain, providing effective pain relief.
Limitations of Use: Comfarol Forte should only be used when your doctor decides that other treatment options are not able to effectively manage your pain or you cannot tolerate them.
How to Take Comfarol Forte
Take Comfarol Forte exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the tablets whole with water.
Dosage Instructions
Adults: Take 1 or 2 tablets for severe pain. This dose may be repeated every 4-6 hours if necessary. Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours. Do not take more than the recommended dose as this may cause liver damage.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose as this may increase the chance of unwanted side effects.
Important: Never take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours and never double dose to make up for a missed dose.
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 or vomiting
- Constipation
- Drowsiness or sleepiness
- Indigestion
- Stomach pain
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Ringing in ears
- Sweating
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Low blood pressure
- Low libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Loss of menstrual cycle
- Sleep apnea
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue or other body parts
- Skin rash, itching or hives
- Fast heartbeat
- Severe blisters and bleeding in lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals
- Yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Mouth ulcers, fever and sore throat
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Dizziness, light-headedness
- Unusual mood swings
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Hepatitis symptoms
- Problems passing urine
- Dark colored urine
- Blurred vision
- Symptoms of pyroglutamic acidosis
Important Warnings
Comfarol Forte carries serious risks including addiction, dependence, and life-threatening breathing problems. Your doctor will monitor you regularly during treatment.
Who Should Not Take Comfarol Forte
Do not use if you: are allergic to paracetamol or codeine; have acute breathing difficulties; have Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency; are a CYP 2D6 ultra-rapid metaboliser; have diarrhea caused by antibiotics; have liver failure; have a history of drug or alcohol dependence; are under 18 and have had tonsils/adenoids removed for sleep apnea; are in third trimester of pregnancy; are in labor; are breastfeeding.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: lung, heart, liver or kidney problems; pancreas problems; low blood pressure; breathing conditions like asthma; sleep apnea; history of drug dependence; drink large amounts of alcohol; liver problems; kidney problems; gall bladder problems; multiple sclerosis; recent surgery; bowel problems; prostate problems; thyroid or adrenal gland problems; seizures; head injury; brain tumors.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take during third trimester of pregnancy or during labor. Do not use while breastfeeding as the medicine passes into breast milk and may affect the baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
Life-Threatening Breathing Problems: Comfarol Forte can cause life-threatening or fatal breathing problems even when used as recommended. Risk is higher when first starting or after dose increases, in older patients, or those with lung problems.
Addiction Risk: Comfarol Forte poses risks of abuse, misuse and addiction which can lead to overdose and death. You can become addicted even when taking exactly as prescribed.
Drug Interactions
Many medications can interact with Comfarol Forte and increase the risk of serious side effects including severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma and death.
Dangerous Combinations: Using Comfarol Forte with other medicines that cause drowsiness may result in severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma and death.
- Sleeping tablets (benzodiazepines)
- Other pain relievers
- Antihistamines
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Gabapentin and pregabalin
- Medicines for alcohol/opioid dependence (naltrexone, buprenorphine, methadone)
- Medicines containing alcohol
- Cough suppressants
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
- Aspirin and NSAIDs
- Blood thinning medicines
- Epilepsy medicines
- Blood pressure medicines
- Muscle relaxants
- Anti-nausea medicines
- Propantheline
- Cholestyramine
- Chloramphenicol
- Flucloxacillin, zidovudine, rifampicin
Alcohol & Driving
Comfarol Forte can significantly impair your ability to drive safely and increases drowsiness when combined with alcohol.
Alcohol
Do not drink alcohol while taking Comfarol Forte. Drinking alcohol increases the likelihood of becoming drowsy and can lead to dangerous interactions.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Comfarol Forte affects you. This medicine may cause dizziness, light-headedness, drowsiness and vision problems, especially after the first dose. Children should not ride bikes if affected and should be supervised.
Storage
Store Comfarol Forte below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep away from young children. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Take any unwanted or expired medicine to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you or someone else takes too much Comfarol Forte, immediately call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Overdose symptoms include slow or difficult breathing, drowsiness or unconsciousness, slow heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and mental impairment. Keep the person awake by talking to them. You can also call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Take this leaflet and remaining medicine with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication can be taken every 4-6 hours as needed, suggesting it provides relief within this timeframe. However, the exact onset time is not specified in the information provided.
The medication should be swallowed with water. No specific instructions about taking with or without food are provided in the available information.
Yes, Comfarol Forte poses risks of abuse, misuse and addiction which can lead to overdose and death. You can become addicted even if you take it exactly as prescribed. It may become habit forming, causing mental and physical dependence.
Stopping suddenly may worsen your pain and cause withdrawal symptoms including nervousness, restlessness, anxiety, trouble sleeping, body aches, weakness, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, watery eyes, runny nose, chills, yawning, and increased sweating.
No, do not drink alcohol while taking Comfarol Forte. Drinking alcohol increases the likelihood of becoming drowsy and can lead to dangerous interactions.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose as this may increase the chance of unwanted side effects.
No, do not take more than the recommended dose unless your doctor tells you to. Adults should not take more than 8 tablets a day. Taking more than recommended can cause liver damage and increase the risk of serious side effects.
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.