What is aspirin and codeine?
Codeine is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers.
Aspirin is a less potent pain reliever and is also a fever reducer.
The combination of aspirin and codeine is used to treat moderate to severe pain.
Aspirin and codeine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking aspirin and codeine?
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Do not use this medication if you are allergic to aspirin or codeine. |
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Codeine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Aspirin and codeine should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. |
Before using aspirin and codeine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
- asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
- a history of head injury or brain tumor;
- epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
- a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
- a stomach ulcer or intestinal disorder;
- underactive thyroid;
- Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorder;
- enlarged prostate, urination problems;
- curvature of the spine;
- mental illness; or
- a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take aspirin and codeine.
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FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby, and could cause breathing problems or addiction/withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. |
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Aspirin and codeine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. The use of codeine by some nursing mothers may lead to life-threatening side effects in the baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
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Do not give this medication to anyone under 18 without the advice of a doctor. Aspirin should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye's syndrome. |
How should I take aspirin and codeine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
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Take this medicine with a full glass of water. |
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Take with food or milk to ease stomach upset. |
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You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using aspirin and codeine after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. |
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using aspirin and codeine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
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Store aspirin and codeine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. |
Keep track of how many tablets have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Codeine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since aspirin and codeine is taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of aspirin and codeine can be fatal. |
Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, sweating, pinpoint pupils, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, confusion, cold and clammy skin, fainting, weak pulse, seizure (convulsions), blue lips, shallow breathing, or no breathing.
What should I avoid while taking aspirin and codeine?
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This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. |
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Avoid taking any over-the-counter medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Aspirin is contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much aspirin. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin. |
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Avoid drinking alcohol while taking aspirin and codeine. Alcohol may increase your risk of stomach bleeding while taking aspirin. |
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Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, antidepressants, or seizure medication can add to sleepiness caused by codeine, or could slow your breathing. Tell your doctor if you need to use any of these other medicines while you are taking aspirin and codeine. |
What are the possible side effects of aspirin and codeine?
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Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. |
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Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: |
- black, bloody, or tarry stools;
- coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
- dizziness, feeling like you might pass out;
- severe nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;
- swelling, or pain lasting longer than 10 days;
- shallow breathing, fast or slow heartbeat;
- feeling light-headed, fainting;
- pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
- wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing;
- decreased hearing or ringing in the ears;
- seizure (convulsions); or
- dizziness, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior.
Less serious side effects may include:
- constipation;
- nausea, vomiting;
- dizziness, tired feeling;
- headache;
- sweating;
- increased thirst; or
- mild skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect aspirin and codeine?
Many drugs can interact with asprin and codeine. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:
- glycopyrrolate (Robinul);
- mepenzolate (Cantil);
- atropine (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);
- bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare);
- a bronchodilator such as ipratroprium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva); or
- irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with aspirin and codeine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about aspirin and codeine.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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