Which is stronger, co-codamol or co-dydramol?

Question

hmmm, funny, co-dydramol did nothing for me in hospital after my c-section but 1 co-codamol (30/500) is enough to knock me out now!

Answer 1

ounce for ounce, pound for pound, co-dydramol is stronger than co-codamol.

Codydramol contains dihydrocodeine and co-codamol contains codeine (both with paracetamol).

I was put on codydramol when I hurt my back. Did nothing. I then went on cocodamol 8/500, then 15/500 and then 30/500. The 30/500s worked for a while. Then after that came tramadol and finally I was put on dihydrocodeine which works a treat.

So to compare. If you were to have cocodamol 30/500 and then have codydramol at a dose of 30mgs also the co-dydramol would be a lot stronger than codeine.

Answer 2

co-dydramol is nasty stuff. You have to take it for a few days for it to work. You will feel no pain. The secret is

It stops the right chemicals to go to your brain, eventually your nervous system stops working like it is suppose to. When you happy you cry, when you suppose to be scared you feel brave. Your speech gets affected and your memory go out the door. Doctors don't tell you this but the information is available.  I had to take it for my back, it was the dumbest mistake I made.  

Answer 3

Despite what the SRN said, codeine is a very effective simple analgesic, significantly more so than Paracetamol, and is safe in higher doses. Addiction is rarely a problem.

Answer 4

Co-Drydramol

Codeine is now considered a poor choice for pain management. This drug is shown to be barely more effective than basic paracetamol. This drug is also addictive (Codeine is an opiate derivative

Either way, I'd recommend taking basic paracetamol and avoiding co-codamol like the plague.

Co-Codamil is Codeine and paracetamol, Co-Dydramol is Codeine and Dihydrocodeine (semi-synthetic opioid analgesic)

Edit

Hic, Despite the fact your a GP, I beg to differ! And I am an RN, SRN's went out about 30 years ago, probably around the same time your medical mind is thinking, wow I am bitchy tonight! RECENT study has proved Codeine to be little more affective that basic paracetamol.

And talking of 'GP for 30 yrs', where is my best good friend Dr Frank? I miss him, I'm having withdrawral symptoms! omg, I have a virtual crush! I really need to stop drinking and go to bed!

Answer 5

interesting question. depends on quantity and your metabolism maybe- co-drydamol didn't touch my shoulder pain (result of a car crash) .. but i'm now on 1000mg co-codamol which helps within 10 mins or so

Answer 6

I am not sure which is the stronger of the two, what I do know is, it is not ideal to take either if your breast feeding, I suggest you ask your doctor or maybe the pharmacist if its ok.

Answer 7

Neither of these preparations is particularly good medically,though both are prescribed in very large quantities, especially co-codamol.

There have been a large number of papers in the last 10 years or so, mainly appearing in the British Medical Journal, looking at paracetamol and codeine preparations and also until recently paracetamol and dextropropoxephene. I am delighted to say this combination is now banned in the UK on safety grounds.

The studies reached the same conclusions, that although all these preparations were marginally more potent than paracetamol alone, typically only about 5%, the risk/benefit ratio was against their routine use. They all caused very significant constipation, could produce both headache and abdominal pain, often indications for which they were prescribed! Also all of them had significant potential for addiction.

( Hi Rhianna, I am sure the odd tipple is just because you are missing Chris! Never a great drinker with increasing age I find it pointless. I share our mutual virtual tryst,but I am sure it will evaporate when your partner returns.)