Overview
Solpadeine Max Tablets provide fast, effective relief from a range of moderate pain conditions that are not sufficiently controlled by simple painkillers alone. The combination of paracetamol (500 mg), which relieves pain and reduces fever, and codeine phosphate hemihydrate (12.8 mg), a mild opioid analgesic, works to both reduce pain intensity and block pain signals.
This makes Solpadeine Max ideal for use in situations such as headache and migraine, rheumatic and muscular pain, dental pain, period discomfort, back pain, and strains & sprains. Because it contains codeine, a medicine that can be habit-forming if misused, it should be used only for short-term relief (no more than 3 consecutive days) and as directed.
Solpadeine Max Tablets are available from pharmacies and online with pharmacist oversight due to the inclusion of codeine, which requires appropriate use and monitoring.
Directions
Do not take more than the recommended dose.
Solpadeine Max Tablets should not be taken by children below the age of 12 years, due to the risk of severe breathing problems.
Avoid too much caffeine in drinks like coffee and tea. High caffeine intake can cause difficulty sleeping, shaking and an uncomfortable feeling in the chest.
How to take Solpadeine Max Tablets
Directions:
Adults:
- Swallow 2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed.
- Do not take more frequently than every 4 hours.
- Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours.
Children aged 16 – 18 years:
- Swallow 1-2 tablets every 6 hours as needed.
- Do not take more frequently than every 6 hours.
- Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours.
Children aged 12 – 15 years:
- Swallow 1 tablet every 6 hours as needed.
- Do not take more frequently than every 6 hours.
- Do not take more than 4 tablets in 24 hours.
This medicine should not be taken for more than 3 days.
If the pain does not improve after 3 days, talk to your doctor for advice.
Possible withdrawal effects
This medicine contains codeine and can cause addiction if you take it continuously for more than 3 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.
Talk to a doctor at once if you take too much of this medicine, even if you feel well. This is because too much paracetamol can cause delayed, serious liver damage.
If your symptoms continue or your headache becomes persistent, see your doctor.
Side Effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
- Do not use it, if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.
- Allergic reactions: get a doctor’s help straight away.
For a full list of side effects, please read the Patient Information Leaflet.
Some people may have side effects when using this medicine. If you have any unwanted side effects you should seek advice from your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
When using this product you may experience:
- Constipation
Stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor immediately if you experience:
- Severe abdominal pain, dry mouth, nausea and vomiting if you have recently had your gallbladder removed
- Nervousness, dizziness, irritability, drowsiness or restlessness
- Allergic reactions which may be severe such as skin rash and itching sometimes with swelling of the mouth or face or shortness of breath
- Skin rash or peeling or mouth ulcers, itching or sweating
- Breathing problems. These are more likely if you have experienced them before when taking other painkillers such as ibuprofen and aspirin
- Unexplained bruising or bleeding
- Nausea, upset stomach, sudden weight loss, loss of appetite and yellowing of the eyes and skin
- Difficulty in urinating.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
You can help to make medicines safer by reporting any side-effects to the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
Warnings
Warnings for Solpadeine Max Tablets
- 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 a painkiller for headaches for more than 3 days it can make them worse.
Do not take Solpadeine Max Tablets:
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to paracetamol, caffeine, codeine, other opioid painkillers or to any of the other ingredients
- If you are taking other medicines containing paracetamol or codeine
- If you are under 12 years:
- 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.
Warnings and 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.
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
Ingredients
Active ingredients: Each tablet contains Paracetamol 500mg, Codeine phosphate hemihydrate 12.8mg.
Other ingredients: sorbitol (e 420), sodium saccharin, sodium bicarbonate, sodium lauryl sulphate, citric acid, sodium carbonate, polyvidone and dimeticone.
FAQ
What is Solpadeine Max used for?
Solpadeine Max is used for the short-term relief of moderate pain that has not been adequately relieved by paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin alone. Conditions include headache, migraine, backache, dental pain, period pain, and muscular or rheumatic pain.
How does Solpadeine Max work?
Paracetamol provides general pain relief and reduces fever, while codeine blocks pain signals in the brain, offering stronger relief than paracetamol alone.
Can Solpadeine Max make you sleepy?
Yes — drowsiness and dizziness are possible side effects. If affected, avoid driving or operating machinery.
How long can I take it for?
Do not use Solpadeine Max for more than 3 consecutive days without medical advice.
Is Solpadeine Max suitable for children?
It can be used in adolescents aged 12 years and over at reduced doses, but is not suitable for children under 12 years.
Can Solpadeine Max be addictive?
Yes — because it contains codeine, prolonged or excessive use may lead to dependence. Do not use for longer than recommended.
Can I take it with other medicines?
Do not take with other medicines containing paracetamol, and consult a healthcare professional if you are on other painkillers or sedatives.
