Paracetamol/Codeine GH 500/30 Medication Guide

Paracetamol/Codeine GH 500/30 (Paracetamol And Codeine Phosphate Hemihydrate)

Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information

Prescription Required

Quick Facts

Generic Name
Paracetamol and Codeine Phosphate Hemihydrate
Drug Class
Analgesic combination (pain reliever)
Used For
Relief of severe pain when other treatments have failed or are not suitable
How Taken
Oral tablets, 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed

What Is Paracetamol/Codeine GH 500/30 Used For?

Paracetamol/Codeine GH 500/30 is a combination pain medication that contains both paracetamol and codeine phosphate hemihydrate. It’s prescribed for managing severe pain when other treatment options haven’t worked effectively or aren’t suitable for you.

Primary Uses

This medication is specifically used to relieve severe pain for which other treatment options have failed, are contraindicated, not tolerated, or are otherwise inappropriate to provide sufficient pain management.

How It Works

Paracetamol and codeine work together to stop pain messages from reaching your brain, providing effective pain relief for severe conditions.

Limited Use: This medication should only be used when your doctor decides that other treatment options cannot effectively manage your pain or you cannot tolerate them.

How to Take Paracetamol/Codeine GH 500/30

Always take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The tablets should be swallowed 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. Never take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours. Do not exceed the recommended dose as this may cause liver damage.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one, as this increases your risk of side effects.

Maximum Daily Limit: Never take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours. Taking more than recommended can cause serious liver damage.

Available Tablet Strengths

500mg paracetamol/30mg codeine
500mg paracetamol/30mg codeine Tablet White to off-white, Capsule-shaped • P and F either side of score line on one side, plain on other

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
  • Dizziness
  • Dry mouth
  • Headache
  • Sweating
  • Weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Low blood pressure

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
  • Confusion or seizures
  • Problems passing urine
  • Blurred vision
  • Signs of liver problems (loss of appetite, itching, yellowing of skin/eyes)

Important Warnings

This medication carries serious risks including addiction, dependence, and life-threatening breathing problems. Your doctor will monitor you regularly during treatment.

Who Should Not Take Paracetamol/Codeine GH 500/30

Do not use if you: are allergic to paracetamol or codeine; have acute breathing difficulties like bronchitis, unstable asthma or emphysema; have Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency; are a CYP 2D6 ultra-rapid metaboliser; have diarrhea caused by antibiotics or poisoning; have liver failure; have a history of drug or alcohol dependence; have experienced systemic allergy to morphine or oxycodone; are under 18 and have had tonsils/adenoids removed 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: lung, heart, liver or kidney problems; pancreas problems; low blood pressure; breathing difficulties, asthma, or chronic breathing conditions; sleep problems like sleep apnea; history of drug/alcohol dependence; drink large quantities of alcohol; liver insufficiency; severe kidney problems; chronic alcohol use; malnutrition; Gilbert’s syndrome; 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 the third trimester of pregnancy or during labor, especially if the baby is premature. This medicine can cause breathing problems and withdrawal effects in newborn babies. Do not use while breastfeeding as the medicine passes into breast milk and may affect the baby.

Life-Threatening Risks: This medication can cause life-threatening breathing problems, addiction, and overdose death. It poses risks of abuse, misuse and addiction even when used as prescribed.

Drug Interactions

Many medications can interact with Paracetamol/Codeine GH 500/30 and affect how it works or increase your risk of serious side effects.

Dangerous Combinations: Using this medication with sleeping tablets, other pain relievers, antihistamines, antidepressants, or alcohol may result in severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma and death.

  • Medicines causing sleepiness or drowsiness
  • Tranquillizers and benzodiazepines
  • Gabapentin and pregabalin
  • Medicines for alcohol/opioid dependence (naltrexone, buprenorphine, methadone)
  • Medicines containing alcohol
  • Cough suppressants
  • Antihistamines
  • Antidepressants and medicines for mental illness
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
  • Salicylates and NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen)
  • Blood thinning medicines
  • Epilepsy medicines
  • Other pain medications
  • Blood pressure medicines
  • Muscle relaxants
  • Medicines for diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
  • Propantheline
  • Cholestyramine
  • Chloramphenicol
  • Flucloxacillin, zidovudine, rifampicin

Alcohol & Driving

This medication can significantly impair your ability to drive safely and increases drowsiness when combined with alcohol.

Alcohol

Do not drink alcohol while taking Paracetamol/Codeine GH 500/30. 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 this medicine affects you. It 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 below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat and sunlight. Keep away from young children in a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills.

Overdose Information

If you or someone else takes too much Paracetamol/Codeine GH 500/30, immediately call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Overdose symptoms include slow/unusual/difficult breathing, drowsiness, dizziness, unconsciousness, slow/weak heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and mental impairment. Keep the person awake by talking to them or gently shaking them. Even if there are no symptoms, contact the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately.

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 isn’t specified in the prescribing information.

The medication should be swallowed with water. The prescribing information doesn’t specify whether it needs to be taken with or without food.

Yes, you can become addicted to this medication even if you take it exactly as prescribed. It may become habit-forming and cause mental and physical dependence. Your doctor will monitor you regularly during treatment.

Stopping suddenly may worsen your pain and cause withdrawal symptoms including nervousness, restlessness, body aches, loss of appetite, nausea, increased heart rate, watery eyes, runny nose, chills, and increased sweating. Continue taking as directed by your doctor.

No, do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol increases drowsiness and when combined with this medicine can result in severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma and death.

The risk of life-threatening breathing problems is higher in older patients. Your doctor will monitor you and adjust the dose as appropriate based on your individual needs and health conditions.

If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Never take a double dose to make up for the missed one, as this increases your risk of unwanted 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.