Solpadeine Plus Soluble Tablets (24)

What is Solpadeine Plus?

Solpadeine Plus Soluble tablets are a triple-action pain killer used to treat acute mild-moderate pain. This is pain that distracts you from your daily living activities.

Solpadeine Plus is effective in the treatment of pain caused by:

• Migraines & headaches
• Dental pain
• Period pain
• Strains & sprains
• Backache
• Rheumatic pain & sciatica

Solpadeine Plus contains the active ingredients paracetamol, codeine and caffeine. Paracetamol is an effective pain reliever whereas codeine works by blocking pain messages from reaching the brain.

The caffeine contained in Solpadeine Plus is used to improve the effectiveness of paracetamol while also counteracting drowsiness, which is an unwanted side effect some people may experience when taking codeine.

Solpadeine Plus is suitable for use in people over the age of 12 years who are unable to manage their pain using paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin, alone.

Solpadeine Plus should only be taken for 3 consecutive days due to the addictive nature of codeine, which is part of a group of medications called opioid analgesics. If after 3 days you continue to be unable to manage your pain with paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

Solpadeine Plus and headaches

Solpadeine Plus is effective in the short-term treatment of headaches, but should not be used for more than 3 consecutive days and only when the headache can not be managed using paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin alone.

Some people may experience headaches as a side-effect of the use of Solpadeine Plus. The overuse of painkillers to control headaches can also cause symptoms to worsen.

Headaches can have many causes therefore if you are relying on painkillers to ease headaches for more than 10 days you should seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

Solpadeine Plus vs Solpadeine Max

Solpadeine Plus contains paracetamol 500mg, codeine 8mg and caffeine 30mg. Solpadeine Max contains paracetamol 500mg and codeine 12.8mg.

Solpadeine Max contains more codeine so it may be suitable for more severe pain, however, it can also increase the risk of codeine-related side effects. Solpadeine Plus contains caffeine, which has been shown to increase the effect of painkillers when taken together.

Solpadeine Plus side effects

As with all medication some people will experience side effects when taking Solpadeine Plus. The side effects experienced may vary from person to person. If you are concerned about side effects speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

The most common side effects, affecting around 1 in 100 people are:

• Constipation
• Feeling sick or vomiting
• Feeling sleepy
• Headache

Sources

• https://www.solpadeine.co.uk/products/solpadeine-plus
• https://www.priorygroup.com/blog/solpadeine-addiction-signs-symptoms-and-treatment
• https://www.gov.uk/drug-driving-law

Solpadeine Plus warnings

Solpadeine Plus should not be taken by children under the age of 12 years as this may result in breathing difficulties.

If you are currently taking any prescribed medication, especially:

• Antiemetics (for nausea or vomiting)
• Medication to lower cholesterol
• Antidepressants or anticoagulants (blood thinners)

You should seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medication.

Precautions should be taken when using products containing codeine. Codeine is changed into morphine in the liver by enzymes. In some rare cases, certain people carry a variation of this particular enzyme that results in a significantly larger amount of morphine being produced.

If you experience any of the following symptoms after taking Solpadeine Plus, stop taking it and seek medical advice straight away:

• Slow or shallow breathing
• Confusion
• Sleepiness
• Small pupils

Solpadeine Plus in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Talk to your doctor before taking Solpadeine Plus Soluble Tablets if you are pregnant. Do not take Solpadeine Plus Soluble Tablets while you are breastfeeding. Codeine and morphine pass into breast milk

Solpadeine Plus and addiction

Solpadeine Plus contains codeine which is part of a group of medications called opioid analgesics. Opioids can cause addiction and therefore should not be taken for more than 3 consecutive days.

If you take this medication as per the Patient Information Leaflet that is contained within the product packaging, you are unlikely to become addicted.

If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms of addiction you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist:

• Taking larger doses than is recommended to feel the effects
• Feeling unwell when cutting down or missing a dose (withdrawal)
• Continuing to take Solpadeine for longer than is recommended even when you no longer experience pain
• Hiding your consumption of Solpadeine from others
• Changes in appearance, social withdrawal and isolation

Solpadeine Plus and driving

Under the Drug Driving Law, it is now an offence to drive in England, Scotland and Wales if the prescribed medication affects your ability to drive safely. If you are concerned about how this drug might affect you, consult with your doctor or pharmacist.

Solpadeine Plus can make you drowsy. You should therefore not drive or operate heavy machinery until you are aware of how the medication affects you.

Solpadeine Plus dosage

Solpadeine Plus Soluble tablets are to be taken orally and are suitable for people over the age of 12.

Adults: Take 2 tablets dissolved in a full tumbler of water (200ml), every 4-6 hours as needed. Do not take more frequently than every 4 hours. Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours.

Children aged 16 – 18 years: Take 1-2 tablets dissolved in a full tumbler of water (200ml), every 6 hours as needed. Do not take more frequently than every 6 hours. Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours.

Children aged 12 – 15 years: Take 1 tablet dissolved in a full tumbler of water (200ml), every 6 hours as needed. Do not take more frequently than every 6 hours. Do not take more than 4 tablets in 24 hours.

What do I do if I take too much Solpadeine Plus?

If you have taken too much Solpadeine Plus may cause you to feel drowsy, nauseous and dizzy. You may also experience difficulty breathing as a result of taking too much codeine.

Taking too much paracetamol can cause serious, irreversible damage to your liver and kidneys. Please be aware, when taking Solpadeine Plus or other medicines that also contain paracetamol. Most over-the-counter cold and flu medicines contain paracetamol.

It is important that if you have taken too much Solpadeine Plus, stop taking the medication and seek medical advice immediately.

Solpadeine Plus ingredients

Each Solpadeine Plus soluble tablet contains the active ingredients:

Paracetamol 500 mg, Codeine Phosphate Hemihydrate 8 mg and Caffeine 30 mg.

Inactive ingredients:

Sodium bicarbonate, sorbitol powder (E 420), saccharin sodium, sodium lauryl sulfate, citric acid, sodium carbonate, polyvinylpyrrolidone and silicone fluid.

Solpadeine Plus side effects

Certain side effects are associated with Solpadeine Plus. Not everyone will experience the same side effects and some people will find they are not affected at all. If you are concerned about any side effects talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

The most common side effects affect around 1 in 100 people, these are:

• Constipation
• Feeling sick & vomiting
• Feeling sleepy
• Headache

Experiencing serious side effects as a result of taking Solpadeine Plus is rare and affects less than 1 in 100 people.

If you experience any of the following side effects, stop taking Solpadeine Plus and seek medical advice immediately:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Dizziness
• Allergic reactions-skin rash, swelling of the mouth or face
• Breathing problems
• Unexplained bruising or bleeding
• Yellowing of the eyes and skin
• Difficulty passing urine