Solpadeine Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Solpadeine Tablet is a combination medicine containing paracetamol, codeine phosphate hemihydrate, and caffeine, classed as an opioid analgesic combination. It is used for short-term relief of moderate pain that has not been helped by other painkillers alone, such as headache, toothache, period pain, and backache. The medicine should not be taken for more than 3 days due to the risk of addiction. It is available as tablets and capsules.

What is Solpadeine Tablet

Solpadeine tablets are a combination medicine containing paracetamol, codeine (a mild opioid pain reliever), and caffeine. They are used for short-term relief of moderate pain that has not been helped by other painkillers alone.

Solpadeine Tablet uses

• Headache, including migraine
• Toothache
• Period pain
• Rheumatic pain
• Backache
• Neuralgia
• Relief of cold and flu symptoms

Benefits of Solpadeine Tablet

• Provides effective relief from moderate pain not helped by paracetamol or ibuprofen alone
• Codeine has some cough suppressant action
• Caffeine enhances the pain-relieving effect of paracetamol

How Solpadeine Tablet works

Paracetamol relieves pain and reduces fever. Codeine is an opioid that reduces the brain's perception of pain by acting on the central nervous system. Caffeine is a stimulant that boosts the pain-relieving effect of paracetamol.

Solpadeine Tablet dosage

Swallow the tablets with water. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Do not take this medicine for more than 3 days because of the risk of addiction; if pain does not improve after 3 days, talk to your doctor. Do not take a double dose if you forget one — allow at least 6 hours between doses. Do not take anything else containing paracetamol while taking this medicine. Elderly patients may need a reduced dose or longer gap between doses.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablets
• Capsules

Side effects of Solpadeine Tablet

Common

• Dizziness or drowsiness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Constipation
• Indigestion and stomach cramps
• Nervousness, restlessness, irritability and tremor
• Dry mouth
• Sweating and facial flushing
• Blurred or double vision
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Cloudy urine
• Hallucinations and nightmares

Serious

• Liver damage, which can be fatal, especially with higher than recommended doses or prolonged use
• Severe allergic reactions including skin rash, swelling of mouth or face, or shortness of breath
• Severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, especially if you have had your gall bladder removed
• Breathing problems
• Unexplained bruising or bleeding
• Nausea, sudden weight loss, loss of appetite and yellowing of eyes and skin (signs of liver problems)
• Severe skin reactions such as blisters and bleeding in lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals
• Urinary retention
• Slow or shallow breathing, confusion, sleepiness, small pupils, feeling or being sick, constipation, lack of appetite (signs of too much morphine being produced from codeine)

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine contains codeine, an opioid. Repeated use can lead to becoming used to it, needing higher doses, dependence, abuse and addiction, which can result in life-threatening overdose. 
• Do not take this medicine for more than 3 days because of the risk of addiction. 
• Taking higher than recommended doses or using it for a long time can cause serious harm, including fatal liver damage. 
• Do not take other medicines containing paracetamol or codeine while using this medicine. 
• Taking sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines together with this medicine increases the risk of drowsiness, breathing difficulties, coma, and can be life-threatening. 
• Do not use if you suffer from acute asthma, respiratory depression, or chronic constipation.
• Do not use this medicine during pregnancy. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
• Do not take this medicine if you are breastfeeding, as it may pass into breast milk.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you have kidney disease.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you have liver disease, including alcoholic liver disease.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
• This medicine may make you feel drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the label.
• Do not store this medicine above 25°C.
• Store in original packaging to protect from light and moisture.
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use.

When to see a doctor

• Stop taking this medicine and get medical help right away if you have slow or shallow breathing, confusion, sleepiness, small pupils, feeling or being sick, constipation, or lack of appetite. 
• Talk to a doctor right away if you take too much of this medicine, even if you feel well, because too much paracetamol can cause delayed, serious liver damage.
•  Stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor immediately if you have severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting after gall bladder removal, allergic reactions, skin rash or peeling, mouth ulcers, breathing problems, unexplained bruising or bleeding, or yellowing of the eyes and skin. 
• If you notice signs of dependence or addiction, such as needing more of the medicine or feeling unwell when you stop taking it, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Alternatives

• Naproxen
• Ibuprofen
• Paracetamol