Syndol Headache Relief Tablets - 10 Tablets

Product Summary

Syndol contains four different medicines: caffeine, codeine phosphate, doxylamine succinate and paracetamol.

• Paracetamol acts as an analgesic (painkiller and an antipyretic (lowers body temperature.
• Codeine phosphate is an analgesic.
• Doxylamine succinate is an antihistamine.
• Caffeine is a mild stimulant.

Syndol is used for the short-term treatment of acute moderate pain which is not relieved by paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin alone, such as headache, including muscle contraction or tension headache, migraine, neuralgia, period pain, toothache and other dental pain, muscular and rheumatic aches and pains, and for pain relief following surgery or dental procedures.

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.

Directions

• Adults, including the elderly: Take 1 or 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours as needed for relief.
• Adults should wait at least 4 hours before taking another dose.
• Do not take more than 8 tablets in a 24-hour period.
• Do not exceed the stated dose.
• If you are elderly or of a weakened state, you should seek advice from your doctor before taking Syndol, as dosage adjustment may be required.
• Children aged 16 to 18 years: Take 1 to 2 tablets every 6 hours when necessary, up to a maximum of 8 tablets in 24 hours.
• Children aged 12 to 15 years: Take 1 tablet every 6 hours when necessary, up to a maximum of 4 tablets in 24 hours.
• Children under 12 years: Syndol should not be taken by children below the age of 12 due to the risk of severe breathing problems.

Do not take Syndol for more than 3 days. If you need to use this medicine for more than 3 days you must speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

This medicine contains codeine and can cause addiction if you take it continuously for more than three days.

When you stop taking it, you may get withdrawal symptoms.

You should talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you think you are suffering from withdrawal symptoms.

Ingredients

• Each Syndol tablet contains the following active ingredients 450mg of paracetamol, 10mg of codeine

  phosphate, 5mg of doxylamine succinate and 30mg of caffeine.

• They also contain povidone, croscarmellose sodium, pregelatinised maize starch, magnesium stearate,

  talc and water. The tablet film coating contains lactose monohydrate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide,

  polyethylene glycol 4000; quinoline yellow (E104) and sunset yellow (E110).

Warnings and Restrictions

This medicine contains codeine, which can cause addiction if you take it continuously for more than 3 days.

This can give you withdrawal symptoms from the medicine when you stop taking it.

If you take this medicine for headaches for more than 3 days, it can make them worse.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Syndol if:

• you have liver, kidney, thyroid or heart problems and/or are elderly or of a weakened state
• you have high blood pressure, problems with the prostate gland, obstructive bowel problems, acute abdominal conditions (e.g. peptic ulcer), hormonal problems, problems passing urine or have had recent gastrointestinal surgery
• you are in shock, have gallstones, glaucoma, or a disease called myasthenia gravis (a condition which weakens muscles) or a history of fits
• you have a history of mood swings, alcohol or drug abuse, or are under psychiatric treatment.

Avoid alcohol while taking Syndol.

Not suitable for people under 18 years of age who have had their tonsils or adenoids removed due to Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Do not take Syndol and speak to your doctor if you are in the last three months of pregnancy, in labour, or if you are breastfeeding. Codeine and morphine pass into the breast milk.

Driving and using machines

Syndol 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 prescribed to treat a medical or dental problem, and
• you have taken it according to the instructions given by the prescriber or in the information provided with the medicine, and
• it was not affecting your ability to drive safely.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure whether it is safe for you to drive while taking this medicine.

Taking other medicines

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Syndol if:

• you are taking a benzodiazepine (used for the treatment of anxiety or sleep disorders ), e.g. diazepam, clobazam, lorazepam, chlordiazepoxide, oxazepam, temazepam, nitrazepam, loprazolam, lormetazepam or clonazepam.

Pharmacist FAQs Answered

Is it possible to take Syndol and other painkillers like ibuprofen?

Yes, ibuprofen may be taken with Syndol if further pain relief is needed, as they work differently. Syndol contains paracetamol and codeine, and ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory. But do not take Syndol with any other medication that contains paracetamol, as this will lead to an overdose, which can seriously harm your liver. Always leave at least four hours between doses and never exceed the daily amount. If you are unsure about which medicines contain paracetamol, ask a pharmacist. Do not take Syndol with other drugs that make you drowsy, unless advised by a doctor.

Can I take Syndol for migraines?

Yes, Syndol can be taken for migraines if other painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen alone have not worked. The combination of ingredients can ease pain and tension. Syndol is for short-term use only, though (3 days max). If you get frequent or severe migraines, see your doctor or pharmacist. Taking painkillers like Syndol too often can make headaches worse in the long term (medication-overuse headache). For long-term migraine treatment, a health professional may prescribe something else. Take the dose exactly as instructed at all times.

Is Syndol addictive?

Syndol contains codeine, which is addictive if used for more than 3 days in a row. Your body may become used to it, and sudden stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms like restlessness, disturbed sleep, or anxiety. This is why you should only use it for short-term pain that stronger painkillers haven't eased. If you feel you need to use Syndol often or for an extended period, consult a doctor. Never increase the dose without advice. It's also best not to take it "just in case" if you're not in pain.

Can I drive after taking Syndol?

Syndol may make you drowsy, dizzy, or confused, especially in the first few hours after taking it. This can affect your ability to drive safely. You should not drive or operate machinery unless you know how it affects you. It is against the law to drive if the medication makes you unfit to do so, even if you were prescribed it. If the medication makes you less alert or affects your reactions, it is better to wait. Avoid alcohol when you are taking Syndol, as this increases drowsiness and the risk of side effects. If in doubt, talk to your GP or pharmacist.

Can I take Syndol if I have asthma?

You should speak with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Syndol if you have asthma, especially if it's not well controlled. Codeine may occasionally affect breathing, and Syndol's antihistamine (doxylamine) can also lead to drying of airways or drowsiness. Though many individuals can safely take it with mild asthma, those who have severe or unstable asthma need to exercise more caution. Inform your healthcare provider of all your medical conditions and medications to determine if Syndol is safe for you. If you get wheezing or shortness of breath after taking it, stop and get immediate attention.

Why can I not take Syndol for more than three days?

Syndol contains codeine, and Codeine taken for more than three days in a row can lead to addiction. Additionally, excessive use of strong painkillers like this can actually lead to rebound headaches, which are the same as tension or migraine pain. These are more likely to happen if you take pain relief too often. If you still have pain after three days, discuss this with your GP or pharmacist for advice. They may want to reconsider the reason for your symptoms and suggest a safer long-term plan. Don't increase your dose or continue to take it without getting medical advice.