Syndol

What are Syndol Tablets?

Syndol Tablets are designed to provide fast and effective short-term pain relief when traditional over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol have proved ineffective. Syndol targets mild to moderate pain caused by the following factors:

• Headaches
• Migraine
• Neuralgia (nerve pain)
• Period pain
• Toothache
• Rheumatic aches and pains

It’s estimated that over ten million people in the UK regularly suffer with headaches and migraines, but the pain they experience can vary — many will find that traditional pain relief tablets such as paracetamol and ibuprofen keep their pain at bay, while others may need a stronger short-term solution to deal with acute pain.

What are Syndol Tablets used for?

Syndol Tablets are designed to provide effective short-term relief from acute pain caused by headaches and migraines, as well as relieving toothache, nerve pain, period pain, and muscle pain.

Syndol Tablets come in two types:

• Syndol Headache Relief Tablets contain the active ingredients paracetamol, codeine and caffeine, and are designed to relieve mild to moderate pain from headaches and migraines specifically.
• Syndol Original Pain Relief Tablets contain a muscle relaxant called Doxylamine that alleviates pain caused by tension headaches as well as soothing muscle pain, toothache, period pain, and neuralgia.

Syndol is only recommended for use when your pain cannot effectively be managed by traditional painkillers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin, and is intended for short use only (up to 3 days) as it may cause addiction.

Syndol Tablets are manufactured by SANOFI and are suitable for adults and children over the age of 12 years.

How does Syndol work?

Syndol Headache Relief tablets contain three active ingredients, paracetamol, codeine and caffeine to offer fast-acting, triple-action relief from pain. Syndol Original contains the same three ingredients with the added benefit of a fourth ingredient - Doxylamine.

Paracetamol is a painkiller that works to relieve mild to moderate pain and fever. It is thought to reduce the production of prostaglandins in the brain and spinal cord. Prostaglandin is a pain-triggering chemical that acts to sensitise nerve endings at the site of trauma. By reducing their production, paracetamol can increase our tolerance to pain. So, even though the cause of the pain will remain, the painful sensation it produces will be reduced.

Codeine is an opioid painkiller and is slightly stronger than paracetamol. Opioids work by mimicking the action of endorphins, which are the body's natural pain-relieving chemical. Codeine, like endorphins, blocks the transmission of pain signals being sent from the nerves to the brain. This means that even though the cause of the pain is still there, less pain is actually felt.

Syndol also contains caffeine, which will act as a weak stimulant. This stimulant can enhance paracetamol’s pain-relieving effects. It can also act to counter the drowsiness that can be caused by codeine.

Syndol Original Tablets also contain the active ingredient Doxylamine, which is a sedating antihistamine that primarily is used to help reduce symptoms of allergies, however, when used in conjunction with the other ingredients in Syndol it is also an effective muscle relaxant helping to reduce tension headaches and muscle pain.

Alternatives to Syndol Tablets

Non-Prescription alternative pain relief treatments include:

• Ibuprofen
• Paracetamol
• Aspirin
• Topical Treatments (Ibuprofen gel)

If you are suffering specifically from migraines you may find Migraleve Yellow and Migraleve Pink tablets to be particularly effective. They use the same active ingredients to target the pain with the addition of a substance proven to reduce nausea associated with migraines.

If you find that Syndol Headache Relief or Syndol Original Tablets are not effectively managing your pain symptoms within 3 days, consult with your doctor or pharmacist.

Syndol Tablets and paracetamol

Do not take Syndol Headache Relief or Syndol Original with any other product that contains paracetamol. An overdose is dangerous and could potentially cause serious damage to the liver and kidneys. Many over-the-counter pain relief treatments, as well as most cough/cold remedies, contain paracetamol.

Always check the ingredients of any medicine you buy before taking them at the same time as Syndol. If you are unsure about any medicine or its ingredients, ask your pharmacist for advice.

Sources

• Syndol Headache Relief Tablets, Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/e...
• Syndol Original Tablets: https://www.medicines.org.uk/e...

Syndol tablets dosage

Adults: Take 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours. Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours.

Children aged 16-18 years: Take 1-2 tablets every 6 hours. Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours.

Children aged 12-15 years: Take 1 tablet every 6 hours. Do not take more than 4 tablets in 24 hours.

Syndol tablets ingredients

The active ingredients in Syndol Headache Relief tablets are: Paracetamol 500mg, Caffeine 30mg and Codeine Phosphate 8mg.

Syndol Original Tablets additionally contain the following active ingredient: Doxylamine succinate 5mg.

The other ingredients in Syndol Headache Relief are: povidone, maize starch, methylcellulose, talc, purified water, calcium stearate, methyl hydroxypropyl cellulose and polyethylene glycol.

Syndol Original also contains: povidone, croscarmellose sodium, pregelatinised maize starch, magnesium stearate, talc and water. The tablet film coating contains: lactose monohydrate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, polyethene glycol 4000; quinoline yellow (E104) and sunset yellow (E110).

Syndol Tablets warnings

Do not take Syndol if any other following apply to you:

• You are allergic to paracetamol, codeine, caffeine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
• You have asthma
• You have severe respiratory disease
• You suffer from alcoholism
• You have had recent bile duct surgery e.g. to remove gall stones
• You suffer from paralytic ileus, where your bowel has ceased to function
• You have recently had a head injury or raised pressure in the skull
• You are pregnant or are breast-feeding

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before taking Syndol if any of the following apply to you:

• You suffer from kidney or liver problems, including alcoholic liver disease
• You have an enlarged prostate gland
• You suffer from low blood pressure
• You suffer from inflammatory or obstructive bowel disorders such as constipation, diarrhoea or bloating
• You suffer from an underactive thyroid gland
• You are elderly or debilitated

Syndol and other medicines

Syndol can interact with other medicines. You should not take this medicine if you are taking, have taken recently or plan to take any of the following:

• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Antidepressants
• Phenelzine
• Tranylcypromine
• Isocarboxazid
• Moclobemide
• Selegiline
• Paracetamol

This is not an exhaustive list of medicines in which can be affected or affect how Syndol works. If you are currently taking or have recently stopped taking any other prescribed or non-prescribed medication, speak to a doctor or pharmacist before taking Syndol.

Syndol and driving

Syndol Tablets may cause drowsiness. If you find yourself affected in this manner, you should avoid driving, operating heavy machinery and drinking alcohol.

Before taking Syndol Tablets please take the time to read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly.