SOLPADEINE MAX TABLETS

Warnings

Do not take Solpadeine Max Tablets: • If you have ever had an allergic reaction to paracetamol, codeine, other opioid painkillers or to any of the other ingredients • If you are taking other medicines containing paracetamol or codeine • For pain relief in children and adolescents (0-18 years of age) after removal of their tonsils or adenoids due to obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome • If you know that you metabolise very rapidly codeine into morphine • If you are breastfeeding . Ask your doctor before you take this medicine: • If you have liver or kidney disease, including alcoholic liver disease • If you have bowel problems including blockage of your bowel • If you have had an operation to remove your gall bladder • If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars . If you are taking other medicines Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking these tablets if you are taking any prescribed medicines; particularly metoclopramide or domperidone (for nausea [feeling sick] or vomiting [being sick]); colestyramine (to lower blood cholesterol); monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) prescribed for depression or medicines that make you drowsy. If you take blood thinning drugs (anticoagulants e.g. warfarin) and you need to take a pain reliever on a daily basis, talk to your doctor because of the risk of bleeding. But you can still take occasional doses of Solpadeine Max Tablets at the same time as anticoagulants. Codeine is transformed to morphine in the liver by an enzyme. Morphine is the substance that produces pain relief. Some people have a variation of this enzyme and this can affect people in different ways. In some people, morphine is not produced or produced in very small quantities, and it will not provide enough pain relief. Other people are more likely to get serious side effects because a very high amount of morphine is produced. If you notice any of the following side effects, you must stop taking this medicine and seek immediate medical advice: slow or shallow breathing, confusion, sleepiness, small pupils, feeling or being sick, constipation, lack of appetite. Children and adolescents Use in children and adolescents after surgery: Codeine should not be used for pain relief in children and adolescents after removal of their tonsils or adenoids due to Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome. Use in children with breathing problems : Codeine is not recommended in children with breathing problems, since the symptoms of morphine toxicity may be worse in these children. Pregnancy and breast feeding Talk to your doctor before taking Solpadeine Max Tablets if you are pregnant. Do not take Solpadeine Max Tablets while you are breastfeeding. Codeine and morphine passes into breast milk. Driving and using machines This medicine can affect your ability to drive as it may make you sleepy or dizzy. Do not drive while taking this medicine until you know how it affects you. It is an offence to drive if this medicine affects your ability to drive. However, you would not be committing an offence if: The medicine has been taken to treat a medical or dental problem and You have taken it according to the information provided with the medicine and It was not affecting your ability to drive safely. See patient information leaflet for more details.