CO-CODAMOL TABLETS (CODEINE PHOSPHATE, PARACETAMOL)

Description

Indications:

The drug contains codeine along with paracetamol as an active element, therefore, it is only prescribed when other analgesics such as paracetamol and NSAIDs alone have failed to alleviate the symptom of pain. The important indications for using this drug are migraine, musculoskeletal pain, and tooth pain.

Mechanism of Action:

To understand the action of this drug, it is important to understand the effects each component exerts on human body.
Codeine is an opioid analgesic, and acts by binding opioid receptors (µ-receptors) in central nervous system (predominantly brain). This association increases a person’s tolerance to pain, thereby reducing its intensity. Codeine like all the other opioids, is a CNS depressant, that is it causes drowsiness, sedation, and depression of respiratory centers.
Paracetamol also called acetaminophen or N-acetyl-para-aminophenol (APAP) acts centrally and inhibits COX-1 and predominantly COX-2 pathways, resulting in the reduction of prostaglandin levels. It also acts on serotonergic, opioid, and cannabinoid neurotransmitters pathways.