Side effects of paracetamol and codeine

Paracetamol and Codeine are drugs widely used to treat several symptoms and ailments and most commonly they are taken to relieve pain. Like all drugs, they can have side effects, and it is important to know which side effects are considered dangerous and require medical attention.

Codeine side effects

Codeine is an opiate used mainly in medications for pain, cough and diarrhea. It comes in several different forms and combinations.

Codeine/Guaifenesin mild side effects include dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, headache, nausea and anxiety. More serious side effects are allergic reactions like rash, hives, difficulty breathing and swelling of the mouth, face, lips and tongue, heartbeat problems, difficulty urinating, tremor, hallucinations, seizure and severe drowsiness.

Codeine/Pseudoephedrine may cause similar milder side effects as Codeine/Guaifenesin, like fatigue, sleepiness, anxiety and headache, and the same severe side effects.

A Codeine/Guaifenesin/Pseudoephedrine combination may cause constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, nausea, vomiting, nervousness and anxiety. Severe side effects include allergic reactions as described above, blurred vision, confusion, fainting, hallucinations, seizures, severe drowsiness, tremor, difficulty urinating, uncontrolled muscle movement, irregular, fast or slow heartbeat and mental changes.

Most common side effects of Codeine Sulfate are constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, sweating and tiredness.

Severe side effects, which require urgent medical attention, are allergic reactions, chest pain, fainting, confusion, mood changes, irregular heartbeat, numbness in one leg or arm and pain, persistent constipation or pain in the abdomen, severe drowsiness or dizziness, hallucinations, difficulty breathing, sudden and severe headache and vomiting, as well as problems while urinating.

Codeine comes in the form of a solution, syrup or tablet and in combination with different drugs, like Phenylephrine, Promethazine, Pyrilamine. The side effects of all of them are similar to the ones listed above. If they persist or if they belong to the groups considered severe, they require urgent medical attention in order to counteract them.