Codeine+diclofenac
About Codeine+diclofenac
Codeine+diclofenac is a prescription medicine used to treat moderate to severe acute pain when simpler pain relievers do not provide adequate relief. It may be prescribed for intense discomfort following surgical or dental procedures or during severe musculoskeletal flare-ups. This medicine combines an anti-inflammatory pain reliever with codeine, an opioid that carries risks of dependence and serious breathing problems and should therefore be used only as directed.
For best results, take this medicine exactly as prescribed and keep your dosing schedule consistent. Take it with or immediately after food to help reduce stomach irritation. Treatment is generally kept as short as clinically appropriate because prolonged codeine use can increase the risk of tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal.
Some people may experience drowsiness, constipation, nausea, or mild stomach upset. Seek immediate medical help if you develop slow or difficult breathing, severe stomach pain, chest pain, sudden weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, or signs of a severe allergic reaction. Diclofenac may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke, particularly with higher doses, prolonged use, or existing cardiovascular risk factors.
Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have a history of stomach ulcers, asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, or kidney or liver problems. Do not take this medicine if you have severe breathing difficulties, active stomach bleeding, a known allergy to its ingredients or similar anti-inflammatory pain relievers, or certain other contraindications identified by your doctor. Codeine should not be used for pain after tonsil or adenoid removal in patients under 18 years of age.
This medicine can interact with alcohol, sedatives, sleeping medicines, and other substances that slow the central nervous system, potentially causing dangerous drowsiness or breathing problems. Codeine is also processed differently from person to person, which can affect safety. Do not use this medicine while breastfeeding because codeine can pass into breast milk and may cause serious opioid effects in the baby. If you are pregnant, an older adult, or taking other medicines, consult your doctor before starting treatment.
Uses of Codeine+diclofenac
Medicinal Benefits
Codeine+diclofenac combines an anti-inflammatory pain reliever with an opioid analgesic to manage moderate to severe pain that may not respond adequately to simpler pain medicines. It helps reduce pain and inflammation, improving comfort and supporting recovery.
- Provides Effective Pain Relief: Helps relieve moderate to severe pain associated with injuries, surgery, musculoskeletal conditions, and other painful conditions.
- Reduces Pain and Inflammation: DICLOFENAC helps reduce inflammation and swelling, while CODEINE acts on pain pathways in the central nervous system to reduce pain perception.
- Improves Mobility: Better pain control can make movement easier and help you perform daily activities with greater comfort.
- Supports Rest and Recovery: Relief from persistent pain may improve sleep and rest, supporting the overall recovery process.
- Supports Rehabilitation: Effective pain management may help you participate more comfortably in physiotherapy and prescribed rehabilitation exercises.
Directions for Use
- Codeine+diclofenac can be taken with or without food as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Swallow Codeine+diclofenac as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Codeine+diclofenac
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Constipation or hard stools
- Drowsiness, sleepiness, or lightheadedness
- Mild nausea, indigestion, or stomach discomfort
- Dry mouth
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Difficulty breathing, shallow breathing, or shortness of breath
- Dark, tarry stools or vomiting blood (signs of stomach bleeding)
- Severe stomach pain or yellowing of the skin or eyes indicating liver damage
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or a severe skin rash
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Avoid Alcohol: Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can dangerously increase drowsiness and slow your breathing.
- Check Your Alertness: Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform tasks requiring full concentration until you know how the medicine affects you.
- Use for the Shortest Prescribed Duration: Codeine can cause tolerance and physical dependence. Do not take more than prescribed or continue treatment longer than advised.
- Do Not Stop Suddenly After Prolonged Use: Abruptly stopping codeine after regular or extended use may cause withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, sweating, anxiety, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, or sleep problems. Your doctor may recommend gradual dose reduction.
- Know the Cardiovascular Warning: Diclofenac may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, especially with higher doses, longer treatment, or existing cardiovascular risk factors. Seek urgent medical care for chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, one-sided weakness, or slurred speech.
- Watch for Stomach Bleeding: Contact your doctor urgently if you develop severe abdominal pain, dark or tarry stools, or vomit that contains blood. Do not stop treatment on your own unless emergency medical advice directs you to do so.
- Inform Your Healthcare Team: Tell your dentist, surgeon, or other healthcare professionals that you are taking this medicine before any procedure.
Drug Interactions
Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as they may interact with Codeine+diclofenac:
- Sedatives and Other Central Nervous System Depressants: Sleeping medicines, anxiety medicines, muscle relaxants, or other opioid pain relievers may increase the risk of severe drowsiness, respiratory depression, coma, or other serious side effects.
- Other NSAIDs, Aspirin, or Blood Thinners: These medicines may increase the risk of stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, or other bleeding complications.
- Blood Pressure Medicines and Diuretics: DICLOFENAC may reduce the effectiveness of some blood pressure medicines and increase the risk of kidney problems, particularly when used with diuretics.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionConsumption of alcohol increases the risk of side-effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, liver damage and bleeding in the stomach.
Pregnancy
unsafeCodeine+diclofenac is not recommended during pregnancy as it may cause harmful effects to the unborn baby. The baby may become dependent and show withdrawal symptoms after birth.
Breast Feeding
unsafeCodeine+diclofenac may pass into breast milk and cause unwanted effects in the nursing baby. So, it is not prescribed in breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
cautionCodeine+diclofenac may cause dizziness, drowsiness, confusion or hallucinations, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you are not fully alert.
Liver
cautionCodeine+diclofenac should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionCodeine+diclofenac should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeCodeine+diclofenac is not recommended for children below 12 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help prevent constipation, a common side effect of this medicine.
- Eat fibre-rich foods: Include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet to keep your digestive system moving smoothly.
- Protect your stomach: Always take this medicine with food or milk to prevent stomach irritation.
- Avoid strenuous activities: Rest when possible, and avoid sudden movements to prevent dizziness or lightheadedness.
Special Advise
Do not stop taking Codeine+diclofenac abruptly. It may cause withdrawal reactions such as restlessness, difficulty speaking, agitation, anxiety, palpitations (pounding or racing heart), increased blood pressure, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, tremors and sweating. The doctor gradually reduces the dose before completely stopping the medicine.
Please do not increase the dose or use it frequently without consulting your doctor, leading to addiction.
It is not recommended to take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) and Codeine+diclofenac simultaneously. You should wait for at least 14 days after discontinuing MAOI, before using Codeine+diclofenac.
Inform your doctor that you are taking Codeine+diclofenac before undergoing any surgery, medical or dental treatment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Pain: Pain is a symptom triggered by the nervous system, causing uncomfortable sensations in the body. Pain may be dull or sharp, it might be constant or long-term (chronic) or may be short-term (acute). The tolerance level of pain might vary from person to person. Pain can be generalized (overall body aches) or localized (affecting a specific area of the body). Pain can be considered a good thing as it helps us know that something is wrong in the body and thereby helps diagnose the condition. The common causes of pain include headache, muscle strain, cramps, cuts, bone fractures, and arthritis.
FAQs
Codeine+diclofenac is used to treat short-term pain.
Codeine+diclofenac is a combination of two medicines: Diclofenac and Codeine. Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing the production of chemical substances that cause pain and inflammation. Codeine is an opioid medication and works by preventing pain signals transmission along the nerves to the brain.
The common side-effects of Codeine+diclofenac are heartburn, indigestion, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and loss of appetite. These side-effects are usually mild and temporary. However, if any of these side-effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
It is recommended not to take other antidepressants, especially monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) such as phenelzine and isocarboxazid while using Codeine+diclofenac. It may lead to unwanted effects. The doctor may advise you to wait for at least 14 days after discontinuing MAOI if you have been prescribed Codeine+diclofenac.
Codeine+diclofenac is probably safe and well-tolerated in diabetic patients when taken at recommended doses. However, higher doses or prolonged use may affect sugar levels and cause unwanted effects. So, let your doctor know that you have diabetes before taking Codeine+diclofenac.
No, consult a doctor before taking Codeine+diclofenac for any condition. It is not advised to use Codeine+diclofenac without a doctor's recommendation.
No, it's not recommended. Codeine+diclofenac contains diclofenac and codeine, which may interact with cold medications like pain relievers, NSAIDs, or decongestants. This could lead to unwanted side effects and complications. Always consult your doctor before combining Codeine+diclofenac with cold medications to ensure your safety.
Yes, drowsiness is a common side effect of Codeine+diclofenac. You should avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing any activities that require full focus until you know how this medication affects you. Talk to your doctor if the sleepiness becomes severe.
Yes. Codeine+diclofenac contains codeine, an opioid, and can cause tolerance, physical dependence, and, in some cases, misuse or addiction. The risk increases with higher doses and longer use. Take this medicine only as prescribed, and do not stop suddenly after prolonged use because withdrawal can occur. Your doctor may gradually reduce the dose when treatment is no longer needed.
You should avoid taking other anti-inflammatory medicines or opioid painkillers while using Codeine+diclofenac, as this can increase your risk of serious side effects like stomach bleeding or severe drowsiness. Always talk to your doctor before combining any medications.
No, you should completely avoid alcohol while taking Codeine+diclofenac. Alcohol can significantly increase the risk of severe drowsiness, dizziness, and dangerous breathing difficulties. Talk to your doctor if you find it difficult to avoid alcohol.
This medication is generally not recommended during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, as it can harm the developing baby. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor to discuss safer alternatives.
If your pain continues or worsens despite taking the medicine as prescribed, do not increase your dose on your own. Contact your healthcare provider, as they may need to reassess your condition or adjust your treatment plan. Talk to your doctor.
No, it is highly recommended to take Codeine+diclofenac with or immediately after food. This helps protect your stomach lining and reduces the risk of indigestion or stomach upset. Talk to your doctor if you experience persistent stomach discomfort.
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