Company: Mercury Pharmaceuticals (ROI) Ltd.
Legal category: Prescription. GMS. Sport permitted.
Active ingredients: Paracetamol 500mg, codeine phosphate 15mg.
Description: Tablets: Bevelled, flat, round, white effervescent tablets. Capsules: Hard capsules with red cap and white body.
Presentation: Tablets: 100, €9.94. Capsules: 100, €9.62.
Indication: Relief of mild to severe acute pain.
Pharmacology: Paracetamol is an aniline derivative with analgesic and antipyretic actions similar to salicylates but it lacks anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet and gastric ulcerative effects. Codeine is an opioid analgesic related to morphine but with less potent analgesic properties and mild sedative effects. It exerts its effect through µ receptors, inhibiting the release of nociceptive neurotransmitters such as substance P, GABA, dopamine, acetylcholine and noradrenaline.
Dosage: Adult: 2 tablets/capsules every 4 hours as required. Maximum: 8 tablets/capsules daily. Elderly: As per adults, may reduce dosage. Children: Under 18 years, not recommended.
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to paracetamol or codeine or to any of the excipients. Acute asthma, respiratory depression, acute alcoholism, head injuries, raised intracranial pressure, post-biliary tract surgery. Severe hepatic or renal impairment. Pregnancy, lactation.
Special precautions: Caution: Elderly, prostatic hypertrophy/urethral stricture, inflammatory or obstructive bowel disorders, prolonged use, hepatic/renal impairment. Patients who are CYP2D6 deficient or ultrarapid metabolisers. May cause respiratory depression. Driving/using machines. Tablets contain sorbitol and sodium.
Drug interactions: Contra: MAOIs (within 14 days). Avoid: CNS depressants. Other products containing paracetamol or opiate derivatives, antihypertensives, TCAs, anticholinergics, anti-diarrhoeal agents, antimuscarinics, metoclopramide, domperidone, colestyramine, enzyme-inducing antiepileptics, phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamezapine, CYP2D6 inhibitors, mexilitine. Warfarin (prolonged use).
Adverse drug reactions: Dizziness, sedation, headache, GI upset, dysphoria, euphoria, shortness of breath, pruritus, rash, urticaria.
Full prescribing information and references available from Mercury Pharmaceuticals (ROI) Ltd.