Panamax Co (Paracetamol And Codeine Phosphate Hemihydrate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Panamax Co Used For?
Panamax Co is a pain relief medication that combines two active ingredients to effectively manage moderate pain when other treatments aren’t suitable or tolerated.
Primary Uses
Panamax Co is used to relieve moderate pain. It should only be used if your doctor decides other treatment options are not able to effectively manage your pain or you cannot tolerate them.
How It Works
Paracetamol and codeine work together to stop the pain messages from getting through to the brain, providing effective pain relief.
Short-term use: This medication is intended for short-term use to relieve moderate pain
How to Take Panamax Co
Take Panamax Co exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The tablets should be swallowed with a little water or other liquid.
Dosage Instructions
Adults: Take 1 to 2 tablets. This dose may be repeated every 4 to 6 hours if necessary. Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours. Adults should only take Panamax Co for a few days at a time unless your doctor tells you to take it longer. Children: Only give to children for up to 48 hours unless a doctor has told you to give it longer. Do not give to children under 12 years.
Duration of Treatment
This medication should only be used for short periods. Talk to your doctor about pain control if Panamax Co is not helping after the recommended time.
Maximum dose: Never take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours – taking too much can be dangerous
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
- Drowsiness or dizziness
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Skin rashes
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Low blood pressure
- Sleep problems
- Low libido
- Erectile dysfunction
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue or other body parts
- Severe skin reactions with blisters and peeling
- Fast heartbeat
- Severe confusion or mood changes
- Blurred vision
- Signs of liver problems (yellowing of skin/eyes, dark urine)
- Severe abdominal pain possibly radiating to back
- Signs of breathing problems during sleep
Important Warnings
Panamax Co contains codeine which can be habit-forming and poses serious risks that require careful monitoring by your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Panamax Co
Do not use if you: are allergic to paracetamol, codeine, or any ingredients; have severe respiratory disease or breathing difficulties; have Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency; are an ultra-rapid metaboliser of CYP 2D6; have diarrhea caused by antibiotics or poisoning; have chronic constipation; have liver failure; have a history of drug or alcohol dependence; are under 12 years old; are aged 12-18 and have had tonsil/adenoid surgery for sleep apnea; are in third trimester of pregnancy; are in labor (especially with premature baby); are breastfeeding.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: breathing problems, asthma, or chronic cough; sleep apnea; compromised lung function; history of drug dependence; liver, kidney, or heart problems; head injury; prostate problems; gallbladder conditions; Addison’s disease; multiple sclerosis; low blood pressure; underactive thyroid; history of seizures; recent surgery; chronic constipation.
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 your baby. This medicine may cause withdrawal effects in newborn babies.
Life-threatening breathing problems: Serious, life-threatening breathing problems may occur even when used as recommended. Risk is higher when starting treatment, after dose increases, in older patients, or those with lung problems
Addiction risk: Contains codeine which may be habit forming and poses risks of abuse, misuse and addiction which can lead to overdose and death
Drug Interactions
Many medications can interact with Panamax Co, potentially causing dangerous effects including severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma, and death.
Dangerous combinations: Using with other drowsiness-causing medicines, alcohol, or cannabis may result in severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma and death
- Sleeping tablets and benzodiazepines
- Other pain relievers and opioid analgesics
- Antihistamines
- Antidepressants and MAO inhibitors
- Antipsychotics and phenothiazines
- Gabapentin and pregabalin
- Cannabis and alcohol
- Blood thinning medicines
- Epilepsy medications
- Nausea medications (metoclopramide, domperidone)
- High blood pressure medications
- Diarrhea medications
- Antibiotics (chloramphenicol, flucloxacillin)
- Heart rhythm medications (quinidine)
- Addiction treatment medications (naltrexone, buprenorphine, methadone)
Alcohol & Driving
Panamax Co can significantly impair your ability to drive safely and must never be combined with alcohol due to serious health risks.
Alcohol
Do not drink alcohol while taking Panamax Co. Drinking alcohol while taking paracetamol may increase the risk of liver side effects, and combining alcohol with codeine can cause dangerous drowsiness, breathing problems, and potentially fatal effects.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. This medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or light-headedness in some people. Children should be supervised while bike riding or engaging in other potentially hazardous activities.
Storage
Store Panamax Co below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep in original packaging and store in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground, away from children. Do not store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on windowsills. Take expired or unwanted medicine to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If overdose is suspected, immediately call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Keep the person awake and seek urgent medical attention even if no symptoms are present. Overdose symptoms may include slow or difficult breathing, drowsiness, unconsciousness, slow heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, seizures, or mental impairment. When seeking help, bring this medication information and tell medical staff about any other medicines or alcohol consumed. You can also contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication contains paracetamol and codeine that work together to stop pain messages from reaching the brain. While specific onset time isn’t mentioned, you can repeat the dose every 4-6 hours if necessary.
The medication should be swallowed with a little water or other liquid. The information doesn’t specify whether it needs to be taken with or without food.
Yes, Panamax Co contains codeine which may be habit forming. You can become addicted even if you take it exactly as prescribed. It poses risks of abuse, misuse and addiction which can lead to overdose and death.
If you stop 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 Panamax Co. Combining alcohol with this medication may increase liver side effects and can cause dangerous drowsiness, breathing problems, coma and death.
Elderly patients need special caution as they are more likely to have reduced kidney function and may be more sensitive to side effects like drowsiness, confusion, and dizziness, which can increase fall risk. Talk to your doctor about appropriate dosing.
Since Panamax Co is taken as needed for pain every 4-6 hours, there’s no regular dosing schedule to miss. Only take it when you have pain, following the prescribed dosage instructions.
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.