Kapake 30mg/500mg Tablets are one of a group of medicines called analgesics or painkillers. They are used to relieve severe pain in adults. Kapake 30mg/500mg Tablets contain codeine, an opioid analgesic, in combination with paracetamol.
What is Kapake?
- Kapake 30mg/500mg Tablets are one of a group of medicines called analgesics or painkillers. They are used to relieve severe pain in adults. Kapake 30mg/500mg Tablets contain codeine, an opioid analgesic, in combination with paracetamol.
- Codeine can be used in children over 12 years of age for the short-term relief of moderate pain that is not relieved by other painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen alone.
Whats the dose?
Kapake 30mg/500mg Tablets should be taken orally (by mouth).
- Always take Kapake 30mg/500mg Tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
- The usual dose for adults and the elderly is one to two tablets taken every four hours. You should not take more than eight tablets in any 24-hour period.
- The dose for children aged 12 and over is one tablet taken every six hours, up to a maximum of four tablets in any 24-hour period.
- Doctors sometimes prescribe different doses to this. Read the pharmacist’s label, it will tell you exactly how many you should take.
- Kapake 30mg/500mg Tablets should not be taken by children below the age of 12 years, due to the risk of severe breathing problems.
- This medicine should only be taken when necessary. Do not take more than the stated dose and do not take for more than three days. If the pain does not improve after three days, talk to your doctor for advice.
If you take more Kapake 30mg/500mg Tablets than you should
- It is always important to follow the dose recommended on the label. If you take too many tablets, contact your nearest hospital casualty department or doctor immediately.
- Immediate medical advice should be sought in the event of an overdose, even if you feel well, because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage.
If you forget to take Kapake 30mg/500mg Tablets
- If you forget to take a dose and you still suffer from pain, take your dose as soon as you remember and then carry on as before. It is important that you do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Kapake 30mg/500mg Tablets
- Taking codeine regularly for a long time can lead to addiction, which might cause you to experience withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness and irritability when you stop the tablets suddenly. Talk to your doctor before you stop taking the tablets and follow their advice.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Side effects
Like all medicines, Kapake 30mg/500mg Tablets can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The following side effects have been reported:
- dizziness or drowsiness
- feeling sick or vomiting
Lying down may relieve these effects.
- allergic reaction (skin rash, itching, swelling or shortness of breath)
- serious skin reactions (very rare cases of serious skin reactions have been reported)
If you experience any of these symptoms please tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
- low blood cell counts (platelets and white blood cells), which may cause unexplained bruising or bleeding
- slow heart beat
- constipation
- stomach pains
- sudden pain in the upper part of your abdomen, if you have previously had your gallbladder removed
- bladder problems
- light headedness
- narrowing of your pupils
- confusion or changes in your mood
Precautions
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.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility
- Do not use this product or any other codeine-containing products if you are pregnant.
- Donottakecodeinewhileyouarebreastfeeding. Codeineand morphine passes into breast milk.
If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.
Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.
References:
http://www.medicines.ie/medicine/12903/PIL/Kapake+30mg+500mg+Tablets./
https://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/2136468.PA1329_003_002.235af97d-7116-4fa0-a9fc-fb6ccf34afe7.000001Product%20Leaflet%20Approved.131108.pdf
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/aches-and-pains/a26365/co-codamol-uses-and-action/
http://www.drugs.com/uk/kapake-30mg-500mg-capsules-leaflet.html