Prodeine Forte (Paracetamol And Codeine Phosphate Hemihydrate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is Prodeine Forte Used For?
Prodeine Forte is a strong pain relief medication that combines two active ingredients to treat severe pain effectively.
Primary Uses
Prodeine Forte is used to relieve severe pain when other treatment options have failed, are not suitable, cannot be 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 relief from severe pain.
Limited Use Only: Prodeine Forte should only be used when your doctor decides that other treatment options cannot effectively manage your pain or you cannot tolerate them.
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How to Take Prodeine Forte
Take Prodeine 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. Taking more than the recommended dose 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 when you’re meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose as this may increase your chance of getting unwanted side effects.
Important: Never take more than the recommended dose unless your doctor tells you to. Adults should not take more than 8 tablets per day.
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
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Sweating
- Weakness
- 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
Important Warnings
Prodeine Forte carries serious risks including addiction, dependence, and life-threatening breathing problems. Your doctor will monitor you regularly during treatment.
Who Should Not Take Prodeine Forte
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 allergic reactions to morphine or oxycodone; are under 18 and have had tonsils/adenoids removed for sleep apnea; are in the 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 or alcohol dependence; 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 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 take if breastfeeding as the medicine passes into breast milk and may affect the baby.
Life-Threatening Breathing Problems: Prodeine Forte can cause life-threatening or fatal breathing problems even when used as recommended. Risk is higher when first starting, after dose increases, in older patients, or those with existing lung problems.
Drug Interactions
Many medications can interact with Prodeine Forte and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Dangerous Combinations: Using Prodeine Forte 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
- Tranquilizers and benzodiazepines
- Gabapentinoids (gabapentin, pregabalin)
- Medicines for alcohol/opioid dependence (naltrexone, buprenorphine, methadone)
- Medicines containing alcohol
- Cough suppressants
- Antihistamines
- Antidepressants and antipsychotics
- MAO inhibitors
- Blood thinning medicines
- Epilepsy medicines
- Blood pressure medicines
- Muscle relaxants
- Anti-nausea medicines
- Antibiotics (chloramphenicol, flucloxacillin, rifampicin)
- Cholestyramine
Alcohol & Driving
Prodeine Forte can significantly impair your ability to drive safely and increases drowsiness when combined with alcohol.
Alcohol
Do not drink alcohol while taking Prodeine 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 Prodeine 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 Prodeine Forte below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Keep in a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground, away from children. Do not store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills.
Overdose Information
If overdose occurs, immediately call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Keep the person awake by talking to them or gently shaking them. Overdose symptoms include: slow, unusual or difficult breathing; drowsiness, dizziness or unconsciousness; slow or weak heartbeat; nausea or vomiting; convulsions or fits; mental impairment. You can also contact the Poisons Information Centre (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 prescribing information.
The medication should be swallowed with water. No specific food restrictions are mentioned in the prescribing information, but you should follow your doctor’s instructions.
Yes, Prodeine 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.
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 Prodeine Forte. Alcohol increases drowsiness and when combined with this medication can result in severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma and death.
Elderly patients may be at higher risk for life-threatening breathing problems, especially when first starting the medication or after a dose increase. Your doctor will monitor you and adjust the dose as appropriate.
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 your chance 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.