Brufen Plus 200/12.8 (Ibuprofen And Codeine Phosphate Hemihydrate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is Brufen Plus 200/12.8 Used For?
Brufen Plus 200/12.8 is a combination pain medication that contains two active ingredients: ibuprofen (200mg) and codeine phosphate hemihydrate (12.8mg). This medication is designed to provide effective pain relief for patients over 12 years of age.
Primary Uses
Brufen Plus 200/12.8 is used to provide temporary relief of acute to moderate pain and inflammation in patients over the age of 12 years.
How It Works
Ibuprofen belongs to a family of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that work by relieving pain, inflammation (swelling, redness, soreness) and fever. Codeine is an opioid analgesic that works in the brain and spinal cord to relieve pain. Once taken, your body processes the codeine into its active form, 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 Brufen Plus 200/12.8 to children under the age of 12 years.
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How to Take Brufen Plus 200/12.8
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is 2 tablets initially, followed by 1 or 2 tablets every 4 hours if necessary. Do not take more than 6 tablets in 24 hours. Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. It can be taken with food or on an empty stomach. You should not take Brufen Plus 200/12.8 for more than three days at a time unless instructed by your doctor.
What If You Miss a Dose?
This medication is taken as needed for pain relief. If you are taking it regularly and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it's almost time for your next dose.
Important: Never take more than 6 tablets in 24 hours and do not use for more than 3 days without consulting your doctor.
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
- Dizziness, light-headedness, drowsiness
- Stomach upset, heartburn, indigestion
- Diarrhea, stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Sleeplessness, nightmares
- Mood changes (depression, restlessness, irritability)
- Dry mouth or tongue
- Headache
- Hearing disturbances
- Shallow breathing
- Cough suppression
- Skin rash
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Asthma, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue or other body parts
- Skin rash, itching or hives
- Fainting
- Severe stomach pain or tenderness
- Vomiting blood or coffee-ground material
- Bleeding from rectum, black stools, bloody diarrhea
- 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)
- Fast heartbeat
- Fluid retention, unusual weight gain
Important Warnings
Brufen Plus 200/12.8 carries serious risks including addiction, dependence, tolerance, and life-threatening breathing problems. Your doctor will monitor you regularly during treatment.
Who Should Not Take Brufen Plus 200/12.8
Do not use if you are allergic to ibuprofen, codeine, other opioids, aspirin, or other NSAIDs; taking other NSAID medicines; in the last three months of pregnancy; breastfeeding; vomiting blood or have bloody stools; have stomach/duodenal ulcers; have ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease; have chronic constipation or severe diarrhea; have shallow breathing; consume large amounts of alcohol regularly; have severe heart, liver or kidney failure; are an ultra-rapid CYP2D6 metabolizer; are taking MAOIs or within 14 days of stopping them; are aged 12-18 years with compromised respiratory function including after tonsil/adenoid removal.
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 gastrointestinal surgery; liver, kidney, heart, or thyroid problems; head injury or increased brain pressure; prostate problems; tendency for seizures; if you're over 65 years old; if you take sedatives.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take during the first 6 months of pregnancy unless advised by your doctor. Should not be taken during the last three months of pregnancy. Can cause breathing problems and withdrawal signs in newborns if given during labor. Should not be taken while breastfeeding except on doctor's advice as codeine passes into breast milk.
Life-Threatening Risks: Can cause life-threatening breathing problems, addiction, and overdose death. Poses risks of abuse, misuse and addiction. Risk is higher when first starting or after dose increases, in older patients, or those with lung problems.
Drug Interactions
Many medicines can interact with Brufen Plus 200/12.8 and affect how it works. 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.
- Benzodiazepines, barbiturates and sedatives
- Gabapentinoids (gabapentin, pregabalin)
- Aspirin, salicylates or other NSAID medicines
- Aminoglycoside antibiotics
- Warfarin, clopidogrel, blood thinners
- Blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors, diuretics)
- Methotrexate
- Antidepressants (SSRIs, MAOIs)
- Antipsychotic medicines
- Lithium
- Immune system suppressants (prednisone, ciclosporin)
- Heart rhythm medicines (quinidine)
- Diabetes medicines
- Epilepsy medicines (phenytoin)
- Other opioid pain medicines
- Alcohol
Alcohol & Driving
Brufen Plus 200/12.8 can significantly impair your ability to drive safely and can cause dangerous interactions with alcohol.
Alcohol
You must not drink alcohol while taking Brufen Plus 200/12.8. Using this medicine with alcohol may result in severe dizziness, light-headedness, drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing difficulties, coma and death.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Brufen Plus 200/12.8 affects you. This medicine may cause dizziness, light-headedness or drowsiness in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous. If you drink alcohol, these effects may be worse.
Storage
Store below 30°C in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep tablets in the original pack until it's time to take them. Keep where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is recommended. Take any unwanted or expired medicine to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you or someone else takes too much Brufen Plus 200/12.8, 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, vomiting or stomach upset; convulsions; excitement; blurred vision; ringing in ears; or rapid eye movements. Keep the person awake by talking to them or gently shaking them. 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 the medicine as recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication typically begins working within 30-60 minutes of taking it, as your body processes both the ibuprofen and codeine components.
Yes, you can take Brufen Plus 200/12.8 with food or on an empty stomach. Taking it with food may help reduce stomach upset.
Yes, Brufen Plus 200/12.8 can be addictive even if you take it exactly as prescribed. It may become habit forming causing mental and physical dependence, and you may develop tolerance requiring higher doses for the same effect.
If you stop suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms including nervousness, restlessness, 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. The combination may result in severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing difficulties, coma and death.
Elderly patients over 65 years may have an increased chance of getting side effects and should discuss this with their doctor before taking this medication.
Since this medication is taken as needed for pain relief, missing a dose is not usually a concern. If you're taking it regularly and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it's almost time for your next 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.