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

Quick overview

Syndol Tablet is a combination pain relief medicine containing paracetamol, codeine phosphate, caffeine, and doxylamine succinate. It is used for short-term treatment of moderate pain that has not been relieved by paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin alone. It should not be taken for more than 3 days at a time due to the risk of addiction associated with its codeine content.

What is Syndol Tablet

Syndol is a combination pain relief tablet containing paracetamol, codeine phosphate, caffeine, and doxylamine succinate. It is used for short-term treatment of moderate pain that has not been relieved by paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin alone, and should not be taken for more than 3 days at a time.

Syndol Tablet uses

• Headaches, including muscle contraction or tension headaches
• Migraine
• Neuralgia (nerve pain)
• Period pain
• Muscular and rheumatic aches and pains
• Pain following surgery or dental procedures
• Toothache and dental pain
• Acute moderate pain

Benefits of Syndol Tablet

• Provides fast, effective relief for many types of pain
• Combines four active ingredients to boost pain relief
• Can help when other painkillers like paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin alone have not worked

How Syndol Tablet works

Syndol contains codeine, an opioid painkiller that blocks pain signals, along with paracetamol for pain and fever relief. Caffeine boosts the pain-relieving effect of paracetamol and helps keep you alert, while doxylamine is an antihistamine that also relieves sickness.

Syndol Tablet dosage

Swallow the tablets whole with water; do not chew them. Wait at least 4 hours before taking another dose. Do not take this medicine for more than 3 days in a row; see your doctor or pharmacist if you still need it after that. Do not take other medicines containing paracetamol or codeine at the same time. Avoid taking other antihistamines or excessive caffeine while using this medicine.

If you are older than 65 or in a weakened state, get advice from your doctor before taking this medicine, as your dose may need to be adjusted. This medicine is not recommended for children under 18 who have had their tonsils or adenoids removed due to Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome. Do not give to children under 12 years old.

Available forms and strengths

• Film-coated tablet

Side effects of Syndol Tablet

Common

• Constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dry mouth
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Itching
• Skin rash
• Headache
• Tremor
• Nervousness
• Confusion
• Irritability
• Mood changes
• Dizziness, light headedness, disorientation and drowsiness
• Vertigo
• Increased awareness of heartbeat
• Head rush or dizzy spells
• Increased heart rate
• Difficulty passing water, needing to pass urine more often, or passing less urine than usual
• Decreased libido or potency
• Muscle rigidity
• Smaller pupils
• Blurred or double vision
• Nightmares

Serious

• Allergic reactions: rash, itching, swollen red areas of skin, or swelling of the face
• Very rare serious skin reactions
• Signs of blood disorders: unexplained or unusual bruising or bleeding, fever, infections
• Unusually low heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Hypothermia
• Hallucinations
• Restricted breathing
• Abdominal or back pain

Warnings and precautions

This medicine contains codeine, which can cause addiction if taken continuously for more than three days, and stopping suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms. Taking this medicine for headaches for more than three days can actually make the headaches worse. Do not take other products containing paracetamol while taking this medicine.

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of its ingredients, have acute asthma or severe respiratory disease, suffer from alcoholism, have had recent bile duct surgery, have paralytic ileus, have recently had a head injury or raised pressure in the skull, are breastfeeding, are a CYP2D6 ultra metaboliser, or are under 18 and have had your tonsils or adenoids removed.

This medicine contains lactose. If you have been told you are intolerant to some sugars, speak to your doctor before taking it. Codeine is not recommended for children with breathing problems, and should not be used for pain relief after tonsil or adenoid removal due to Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome.

If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Do not take this medicine if you are breastfeeding.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you have kidney problems. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you have liver problems, including alcoholic liver disease. Do not take it if you have recently had an operation on your liver, gall bladder, or bile duct.

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine. This medicine may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drive or use machinery until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack
• Do not store above 25°C
• Store in the original packaging

When to see a doctor

Get medical help right away if you take too much of this medicine, even if you feel well, because too much paracetamol can cause serious, delayed liver damage. Go to your nearest hospital and take the medicine and leaflet with you.

Stop taking the tablets and contact your doctor immediately if you develop signs of an allergic reaction, blood disorders, heart or circulation effects, hallucinations, restricted breathing, or abdominal or back pain.

Talk to your doctor if you think you are suffering withdrawal symptoms after stopping this medicine.

Alternatives

• Paracetamol
• Ibuprofen
• Paracetamol + codeine